The Government of Canada Supports Seniors in Wetaskiwin

 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, April 24, 2010—Mr. Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin, today announced federal support for the Wetaskiwin Senior Citizen’s Society under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Mr. Calkins made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).

The Wetaskiwin Senior Citizen’s Society will receive $10,232.00 to renovate and repair the main hall floors, walls and insulate the attic.  This will allow them to continue to provide activities for seniors such as crafts, pancake breakfasts and other recreational activities.

“Canada’s seniors worked hard to make this country the strong nation it is today,” said Mr. Calkins. “Our government is proud to support projects that engage seniors and keep them involved in their communities.”

Capital Assistance funding helps non-profit organizations upgrade facilities or equipment required for existing seniors’ programs and activities. This project is one of 645 projects that were approved through the 2009–2010 call for proposals, providing more than $8.5 million in funding through the Capital Assistance funding stream.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 6,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100,000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.

Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan committed $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.

For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Blaine Calkins, MP

613-995-8886 (Ottawa)

403-783-5530 (Ponoka)

Michelle Bakos                                 Media Relations Office

Press Secretary                                Human Resources and Skills

Office of Minister Finley                 Development Canada

819-994-2482                                   819-994-5559

backgrounder

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.

Building on the success of the NHSP, in Budget 2007, the Government of Canada increased the Program’s budget by $10 million, therefore increasing the total annual budget to $35 million per year.

The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:

Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000): this funding supports community-based projects across Canada.  The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.

Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000): this funding helps non‑profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors’ programs and activities.  It enables seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.

Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000): this funding helps non‑profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level.  Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.

Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan committed $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program.  This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.