GATINEAU, QC, May 16, 2024
/CNW/ - Canadians deserve to age with dignity. That comes down to
choice, to affordability, to inclusion, and to community. The New
Horizons for Seniors Program creates those opportunities for
seniors to be more connected, supported and active members of their
communities.
Today, Canada's Minister for
Seniors, Seamus O'Regan Jr.,
announced an investment of $71.27 million in 3,451 community-based
projects supporting seniors across the country. This funding was
awarded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program's (NHSP) most
recent call for proposals for community-based projects.
As part of the 2023-24 NHSP call for proposals for
community-based projects, organizations were encouraged to
apply for funding to deliver projects that support the national
priorities for this cycle:
- supporting healthy aging;
- preventing senior abuse;
- celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion; and
- supporting financial security.
These projects further support the Government's work to help
Canadian seniors age with dignity and choice. This work also
includes the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, which has already
helped over 46,000 seniors access dental care, because no one
should have to choose between taking care of their teeth and
putting food on the table.
Budget 2024 is the Government's plan to build more homes,
faster, help make life cost less, and grow the economy in a way
that helps every generation get ahead. The Government's ongoing
support for the New Horizons for Seniors Program means more
assistance for community-based projects that strengthen our
communities and make life better for Canadian seniors.
Quotes
"Loneliness is an awful thing, and too many seniors feel lonely.
They want to be active and feel like they're part of their
community, giving back, helping out, looking after themselves. It's
so important. New Horizons helps make those connections and do all
that."
–Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors
Quick Facts
- Seniors are one of Canada's
fastest-growing population groups. They will represent almost 25%
of the population by 2051 and could reach close to 11 million
people within 15 years.
- The New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream is
a federal grants program whose goal is to invest in projects that
help seniors stay active and engaged in the community.
Organizations are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
- Program funding supports projects that address one or more of
the program's five objectives: promoting volunteering among seniors
and other generations, engaging seniors through the mentoring of
others, expanding awareness of elder abuse, supporting social
participation and inclusion of seniors and providing capital
assistance for new and existing community projects and programs for
seniors.
- Project proposals are targeted to vulnerable senior populations
including Indigenous seniors, seniors with disabilities, members of
racialized and newcomer groups, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities,
low-income seniors, veterans, members of official language minority
communities and people who primarily speak languages other than
English or French.
- Since its inception in 2004, the program has funded around
40,000 local projects and broader reaching initiatives in hundreds
of communities across Canada with
the Government of Canada having
invested a total of more than $850
million.
- Every year, organizations are invited to apply for NHSP
community-based funding through a call for proposals. The projects
announced today were approved as part of a call for proposals that
was launched on August 1, 2023 and
closed on September 28, 2023.
Related Documents
Backgrounder
The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal
grants and contributions program whose goal is to enhance seniors'
social inclusion and ensure they can benefit from, and contribute
to, the quality of life in their communities.
Seniors lead and inspire projects to make a difference in the
lives of others and in their communities.
The objectives of the NHSP are to:
- promote volunteerism among seniors and other generations;
- engage seniors in the community through the mentoring of
others;
- expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial
abuse;
- support the social participation and inclusion of seniors;
and
- provide capital assistance for new and existing community
projects and programs for seniors.
The NHSP provides seniors access to important recreational and
social programs and initiatives that reflect the current realities
of seniors and seniors-serving organizations. The Program helps
vulnerable seniors through curated program parameters, delivery and
access to ensure their needs are met.
Since 2004, the NHSP has funded about 40,000 local projects and
broader-reaching initiatives in hundreds of communities across
Canada. The total Government of
Canada investment has been more
than $850 million. Program funding
supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects.
Community-based projects
Community-based project funding supports activities in which
seniors are socially engaged, connected and actively involved in
their communities. Organizations are eligible to receive up to
$25,000 in grant funding.
As part of the 2023–24 NHSP community-based call for proposals,
organizations were encouraged to apply for funding that supports
the Program's national priorities for this cycle:
Priority 1: Supporting healthy aging, which
includes:
- addressing social isolation, including through supporting
seniors' digital literacy;
- addressing ageism; and
- supporting mental health and dementia.
Priority 2: Preventing senior abuse, which
includes:
- providing measures to reduce crimes and harm against seniors,
including elder abuse; and
- developing educational material to prevent unscrupulous
practices, financial fraud and scams from happening to
seniors.
Priority 3: Celebrating diversity and promoting
inclusion, which includes:
- promoting intergenerational mentoring and engagement;
- advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and helping to
secure a better quality of life for Indigenous seniors; and
- collaborating with diverse communities, notably by serving
members of the following vulnerable groups: low-income seniors,
Indigenous Peoples, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, members of
official language minority communities, seniors who primarily speak
languages other than English and French, members of racialized and
newcomer groups, persons with disabilities, veterans and seniors
living in rural or remote areas.
Priority 4: Supporting financial security, which
includes:
- helping seniors navigate and access government services and
benefits and providing support to file their taxes; and
- supporting the financial empowerment of seniors.
This year, a total of 3,451 community-based projects have been
approved for immediate investment, representing $71.27 million.
Here's a breakdown by province/territory:
Province/Territory
|
Number of Projects
|
Investment
|
Alberta
|
292
|
$6,435,181
|
British
Columbia
|
457
|
$10,075,768
|
Manitoba
|
132
|
$2,496,458
|
New
Brunswick
|
123
|
$2,458,751
|
Newfoundland and
Labrador
|
81
|
$1,541,676
|
Northwest
Territories
|
12
|
$286,669
|
Nova Scotia
|
129
|
$2,447,471
|
Nunavut
|
5
|
$119,064
|
Ontario
|
1,187
|
$25,178,610
|
Prince Edward
Island
|
36
|
$738,772
|
Quebec
|
872
|
$16,967,399
|
Saskatchewan
|
111
|
$2,210,879
|
Yukon
|
14
|
$315,467
|
Total
|
3,451
|
$71,272,165
|
For more information, visit About the New Horizons for Seniors
Program – Community-based projects.
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Associated Links
Programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening
communities
Backgrounder: Government of Canada supports for seniors
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada