Minister Tassi visits communities in New Brunswick, highlights Government of Canada's support for seniors

MONCTON, NB, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Seniors make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and workplaces. That is why the Government of Canada remains committed to providing Canadian seniors with greater security and a better quality of life.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, wrapped up a successful two-day visit to New Brunswick, where she met with seniors and other key stakeholders in Fredericton, Moncton, Minto, Chipman and Riverview to hear the concerns of New Brunswick seniors and discuss how Budget 2019 will support them in their retirement.

Minister Tassi also met with the recipients of community-based funding for projects supported by the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The NHSP supports projects designed and led by seniors that promote seniors' well-being and help them stay active and connected with their community. The Minister encouraged eligible community organizations to apply for NHSP funding, as the call for proposals launched on May 15 will close on June 21, 2019.

During events in Minto and Chipman, the Minister spoke of the importance of working together with communities and local organizations to better support seniors. With this in mind, the Minister announced, as a result of the 2018-2019 call for proposals, an investment of close to $1.1 million in NHSP funding to support 67 community?based projects across New Brunswick. This funding will help seniors across the province stay informed, engaged and connected with their communities.

To conclude her New Brunswick visit, Minister Tassi met with Dr. Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, Chairperson of the National Seniors Council, to discuss emerging issues and opportunities related to the health, well-being and quality of life of seniors.

Throughout her visit, Minister Tassi underlined additional measures Budget 2019 proposes to improve the quality of life for Canadian seniors. Budget 2019 will:

• Ensure Canadian workers receive the full value of their pension by proactively enrolling Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributors who are 70 years old or older and who have not yet applied to receive their retirement pension.
  
  
• Enhance the security of workplace pensions through new measures that better protect pensions in the event of corporate insolvency, giving Canadians greater peace of mind when it comes to their retirement.
  
  
• Take concrete steps towards the implementation of national pharmacare. These include working with provinces, territories and stakeholders on the creation of a Canadian Drug Agency, taking steps toward the development of a national formulary, and creating a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases.
  
  
• Promote the inclusion and full participation of vulnerable seniors in society by increasing funding to the New Horizons for Seniors Program, supporting projects that provide new equipment for seniors' centres, offer financial literacy classes, create volunteer opportunities and prevent elder abuse and social isolation.
  
  
• Make retirement more financially secure for seniors who wish to work by enhancing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) earnings exemption so they can take home more of their hard-earned income.

Quote

"Canadian seniors have worked hard to support their families, build strong communities and grow our economy. Their knowledge, skills and experience are the cornerstones our economy and country were built on. Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking more steps to empower seniors by strengthening their connections with their communities so they can have the healthy, happy and secure life they worked hard for."
? The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors

Quick Facts

• Seniors are the fastest-growing demographic group in Canada. By 2030, the number of seniors will reach 9.6 million, representing close to one quarter of Canada's population.
  
  
• Budget 2019 proposed an investment of $100 million over five years, and $20 million per year ongoing, for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being.
  
  
• The National Seniors Council engages with seniors, stakeholders and experts to provide advice to the Government of Canada on current and emerging issues and opportunities related to the health, well?being and quality of life of seniors. The Council reports to the Minister for Seniors, in recognition of her overarching federal responsibilities for seniors' issues, and the Minister of Health, in recognition of the importance of health-related issues for older Canadians.

Associated Links

New Horizons for Seniors Program ? Engaging seniors, strengthening communities
National Seniors Council

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada