New Ross, NS - Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, today announced federal support for the Royal Canadian Legion – Branch No. 79 in New Ross under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, which encourages 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.
MP Keddy made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).
These projects are funded under the Community Participation and Leadership component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. It is one of 797 projects that were approved through the 2010–2011 Community Participation and Leadership call for proposals.
“The Government of Canada is committed to improving the lives of seniors, and is proud to support local organizations with the same goal,” said Mr. Keddy. “Today is an opportunity for all of us to recognize and honour the past and present sacrifices of the men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces. It is fitting that on this occasion I have the opportunity to announce that the Government of Canada will be providing funding to assist our local seniors and youth to compile historical information on local veterans and gather artifacts for the Legion’s new Honour Room.”
“Today’s seniors know the importance of being active and staying involved in their communities,” said Minister Finley. “The New Horizons for Seniors Program is just one example of how we are helping seniors make a positive difference in their own lives and in those of the people around them.”
The Royal Canadian Legion – Branch No. 79 will receive $20,450 for its project entitled New Ross Legion Honour Room which will see seniors and youth compile historical information on local veterans and gather artifacts for the Legion’s new Honour Room.
“The New Ross Legion Branch #79 is very excited about receiving this funding from New Horizons for Seniors,” said Paul Elliott, Membership & New Building Chairperson, Royal Canadian Legion – Branch No. 79. “The funds will go towards the Honour Room; a project where seniors will take the lead on gathering photos, stories, and artifacts from our local veterans to put on display in an area of our Legion that will be renovated to be inviting and comfortable. This will allow veterans, families, and visitors, a space to go where they are able to learn about our local veterans, and the contribution that they have made, and continue to make, to our community and country.”
Through Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth, the Government invested an additional $5 million per year in the Program, bringing this year’s funding to $40 million. This additional funding will support projects that encourage seniors to volunteer and mentor other generations, as well as initiatives that aim to increase awareness of financial abuse.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 7, 000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100, 000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.
For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
Backgrounder
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program helps 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:
- Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000 in funding per project). 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.
- Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000 in funding per project). 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.
- Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 in funding per project annually, over a maximum of three years). This funding helps non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of seniors at a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors.
For more information on the Program, or upcoming calls for proposals, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
