Government of Canada funds 95 projects in Saskatchewan to empower seniors in their communities

SASKATCHEWAN, May 25, 2023 /CNW/ - Seniors have made and continue to make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities, and workplaces. The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting local organizations that empower seniors, promote engagement within their communities, and contribute to their health and well-being.

On May 23, Canada's Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, announced an investment of over $61 million to fund over 3,000 community-based projects to support seniors across the country. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

This announcement includes an investment to 95 projects in Saskatchewan that will help seniors stay active, informed and socially connected in their community.

The Government invests approximately $50M per year to support NHSP community-based projects. In Budget 2022, an additional $20 million over two years was proposed, for an expanded NHSP to support more projects that improve the quality of life of seniors and help them to continue to participate fully in their communities.

As part of the 2022-23 NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects, organizations were invited to apply for funding that created opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported and active members of their communities and reflect the national priorities:

• supporting healthy ageing through engaging social, physical, and artistic activities;
• preventing senior abuse such as through financial literacy training, fraud prevention training, and digital literacy sessions;
• celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion by promoting intergenerational mentoring, serving vulnerable groups and holding peer support sessions; and
• helping the majority of seniors who want to age in their own homes to do so by providing practical supports.

This announcement builds on the Government's commitment to improving the quality of life of seniors. Budget 2023 also introduces the new Canadian Dental Care Plan which will become accessible to eligible seniors by the end of 2023. Upon full implementation, the program will help up to 9 million Canadians, including seniors, and ensure that no Canadian has to choose between taking care of their health and paying the bills at the end of the month. Through Budget 2023, the Government is also providing one-time Grocery Rebate that will provide relief to the Canadians hardest hit by the rising of food prices. Seniors are among the Canadians and families being helped and those eligible will receive more in their pockets on July 5^th through the Grocery Rebate.

"Promoting healthy ageing and empowering seniors is essential in building inclusive, age-friendly communities. Every year, the New Horizons for Seniors program plays a crucial role in enhancing seniors' quality of life by providing funding for thousands of projects across Canada. Those initiatives offer hands-on activities that enable seniors to remain active, expand their social network, engage in learning experiences, and age in their own homes and communities. By participating in these projects, seniors across the country can lead fulfilling lives and remain engaged members of our communities."
? Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera

"Our government is proud to be creating opportunities for seniors across Saskatchewan to participate in a wide range of activities that will bring people closer together as a community."
? Minister Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor

• Seniors are one of Canada's fastest-growing population groups. They will represent almost 25% of the population by 2051 and could reach close to 11 million people within 15 years.
• The New Horizons for Seniors Program is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help seniors stay active and engaged in the community. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
• Since its inception, NHSP has funded more than 36,500 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with the Government of Canada having invested a total of more than $780 million.
• Program funding supports projects that address one or more of the program's five objectives: social participation, volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse and providing capital assistance.
• Every year, organizations are invited to apply for NHSP community-based funding through a call for proposals. The projects announced today were approved as part of a call for proposals that was launched on September 21, 2022, and closed on November 1, 2022.

Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program 

Programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program ? Engaging seniors, strengthening communities 
Backgrounder: Government of Canada supports for seniors

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada