Government of Canada Committed to Well-Being of Seniors

Mr. Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser, highlighted the funding in Regina today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).

"The Government of Canada is committed to the well-being of seniors and to combating elder abuse in all its forms, from physical abuse to financial and emotional abuse," said Mr. Boughen. "This project will support programs and activities that increase awareness of elder abuse while improving the quality of life, safety and security for seniors."

Today's celebration follows an announcement on February 8, 2010, of an investment of more than $1.5 million in 16 projects across Canada that will help reduce the incidences of abuse against older adults throughout the country.

The Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism received funding of $99,867 for its project called Saskatchewan Senior Abuse Network. Through this project, the organization will develop a provincial intervention strategy and hold regular network roundtable meetings to coordinate efforts to reduce elder abuse in Saskatchewan.

"Our government takes the fight against elder abuse very seriously," Mr. Boughen added. "We want everyone to know that it cannot and will not be tolerated, and that help is available."

The project highlighted today falls under the Elder Abuse Awareness component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which supports national and regional projects. With the two other components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program-Community Participation and Leadership and Capital Assistance-the overall budget of the Program is $35 million per year.

Budget 2010 committed $10 million over two years in increased funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The enhanced funding will support projects that focus on volunteering among seniors and raising awareness of financial abuse of seniors.

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 6,000 projects across Canada, helping seniors to use their leadership, energy and skills to benefit our communities. For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

BACKGROUNDER

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.

The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:

1.  Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000 in
    funding): this funding supports community-based projects across Canada.
    The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in
    their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and
    sharing their knowledge and skills with others. 
    
2.  Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000 in funding): this funding
    helps non-profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or
    equipment used for existing seniors' programs and activities. It enables
    seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing
    programs and activities in their communities. 
    
3.  Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 in funding annually over a
    maximum of three years): this funding helps non-profit organizations and
    coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or
    regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness
    resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of
    life, safety and security for seniors. 
    

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