Government of Canada launches call for proposals for community-based projects to support seniors

Organizations are invited to apply for funding

MONTREAL, May 23, 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 older Canadians with greater security and a better quality of life.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce?Westmount, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, invited organizations across Quebec to apply for funding for community-based projects as part of the New Horizons for Seniors Program's (NHSP) 2019-20 call for proposals. 

Minister Garneau made the announcement while visiting the NDG Senior Citizens' Council which is receiving $22,500 in NHSP funding from last year's call for proposals for their project, Reaching Out and Connecting Seniors. With this funding, the organization will plan and lead workshops to inform seniors of the health and social services available to them in their community. As part of last year's NHSP call for proposals, 540 community-based projects across Quebec, worth a total of more than $8.1 million, were approved. 

The New Horizons for Seniors Program is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help improve the well-being and quality of life of seniors and foster social inclusion and engagement of older Canadians in all aspects of society.

The Program's community-based stream supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of its five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation, and capital assistance. Organizations are invited to apply for funding under the NHSP's three national priorities:

• preventing elder abuse and fraud, including measures to reduce crimes and harms against seniors;
• supporting healthy aging in community, addressing dementia, including community supports and intergenerational housing; and
• counteracting ageism in the workplace to promote labour market retention of seniors.

The 2019-20 NHSP community-based call for proposals is open until June 21, 2019. For details on how to apply, visit the NHSP website. 

Quotes

"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

"Our government deeply values the contribution seniors make to our country. I am pleased to invite organizations to apply for funding through this year's call for proposals. We know that when seniors can fully participate in society, everybody benefits."
? The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce?Westmount

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.
• Every year, organizations across Canada are invited to apply for NHSP funding through a call for proposals for community-based projects that encourage seniors to stay active and involved in their communities.
• Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding, and up to $5,000 in small grants funding is available to organizations that have not received funding in the past five years.
• Since 2004, the NHSP has funded more than 23,600 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $487.7 million.
• Budget 2019 proposed an investment of $100 million over five years and $20 million per year ongoing, which includes $15 million for community-based projects, for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support even more projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being.

Related documents 
Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program 2019-20 call for proposals for community-based projects 
Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program

Associated links
New Horizons for Seniors Program ? Engaging seniors, strengthening communities 
Programs and services for seniors 
Investing in the Middle Class: Budget 2019 
A secure and dignified retirement for Canadians

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada