Government of Canada provides funding for 18 New Horizons for Seniors projects in Nova Scotia

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA—Eighteen Nova Scotia seniors projects will receive a total of $189,593 in federal funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, announced the funding today in Dartmouth.

"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 Nova Scotia and will make our communities better places for everyone – young and old," said Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and senior Minister for Nova Scotia.

"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."

"There are many interesting projects getting under way throughout Nova Scotia that involve seniors working with other seniors, adults, and young people to support their communities," said Mike Savage, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour.

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 closely connected to their communities, review and recommend projects for funding. The priorities for this round of funding were:

1. Peer support/networking

   These are projects that encourage peer support between seniors and help older Canadians make positive transitions in their lives by learning from one another's experiences.

   
   
2. Intergenerational

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

   
   
3. Community focus

   These are projects that harness the energy and enthusiasm of seniors 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 Nova Scotia is included in the attached backgrounder.

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

For more information:

George Doleman
Regional Manager
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Nova Scotia
Social Development Canada
(902) 426-2342

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

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

BACKGROUNDER

NOVA SCOTIA