Government of Canada provides funding for 20 New Horizons for Seniors projects in Manitoba

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA—Twenty Manitoba seniors projects will receive a total of $219,376 in federal funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, announced the funding today in Winnipeg.

"The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening and building inclusive communities that promote the active living, empowerment, and dignity of seniors," said Minister Dryden. "These projects will enable seniors to share their skills, experience, and wisdom with others in their community."

"These New Horizons projects announced today will play an important role in supporting the inclusion and participation of seniors right across Manitoba and will make our communities better places for everyone – young and old," said Mr. Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and senior Minister for Manitoba.

"New Horizons for Seniors has proven to be extremely valuable in promoting community activities by and in support of seniors," said Tony Ianno, Minister of State (Families and Caregivers). "Increased funding for New Horizons for Seniors in the recent budget reinforces our commitment to ensuring a high quality of life for all seniors."

The New Horizons for Seniors Program provides grants to support a range of community-based projects across Canada that enable seniors to participate in social activities, pursue an active life, and contribute to their communities.

Projects support broad national objectives and regional priorities. They are inspired, implemented, and led by seniors in local communities. Priorities are set by those who are engaged in seniors' issues in each province and territory. Members of the review committee are in the best position to understand the needs of their communities and to know which projects they will benefit from.

Review committees, which include people active in seniors' issues and are closely connected to their communities, review and recommend projects for funding. The priorities set by the Manitoba Review Committee for this round of funding were:

1. Intergenerational projects

   These are projects that are aimed at seniors transferring their experience, skills, values, resources, wisdom, and encouragement to younger generations.

   
   
2. Seniors at risk of isolation

   These are projects that address social isolation among seniors, that encourage peer support between seniors, and that help older Canadians learn from one another's experiences in adapting to transitions in their lives as they age.

   
   
3. Community

   These are projects that harness the energy and enthusiasm of seniors, in concert with other community members, in local initiatives that contribute to social, cultural, economic, or environmental development in their community.

Funding for these projects was provided for in the 2005 federal budget. In response to an overwhelming interest in the program, the Government of Canada announced an increase in funding to the New Horizons for Seniors Program in the 2005 budget. The overall program budget will be increased to $15 million in 2005-06 and will reach $25 million by 2007-08.

Seniors are a priority for the Government of Canada. To underscore this commitment, Budget 2005 included other significant measures, including:

• Increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the survivor to help address the needs of Canada's poorest seniors. Starting January 1, 2006, the Guaranteed Income Supplement will be increased by $18 a month for single recipients and by $29 a month for couples. It will increase by the same amount again on January 1, 2007.
  
  
• Providing $13 million in funding over five years to establish a National Seniors' Secretariat within Social Development Canada, to serve as a focal point for collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing seniors. The Secretariat will work across the federal government, with other levels of government as well as experts and others, to align policies and programs for seniors today and in the future.

These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grants and contributions program and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.

For more information on the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program, visit www.sdc.gc.ca. The next Call for Applications will open in June 2005. A complete list of approved projects for Manitoba is included in the attached backgrounder.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a Touch Tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information:

Glenn De Sutter
Co-ordinator, New Horizons for Seniors
Manitoba Region
Social Development Canada
(204) 983-8987

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Social Development
(613) 941-0766

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

BACKGROUNDER

MANITOBA