Far too many seniors face isolation in their retirement years. This was a fact even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is committed to empowering seniors by supporting opportunities for older Canadians to stay involved and engaged in their communities.

Today, Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte, announced an investment of $144,246 for seven community-based projects in Charlottetown. These projects will help seniors stay active, informed, and socially connected in their community. This funding was awarded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program’s recent call for proposals for community-based projects.

Haviland Club, $25,000: The organization will install a new automatic door, sidewalk, and awning to allow seniors to continue participating in bridge nights, weekly coffee chats, and other social activities.

Native Council of Prince Edward Island, $20,816: Seniors involved with the organization will participate in virtual training on culture, senior isolation, fraud and technology to decrease isolation while increasing the knowledge of seniors.

PEI Senior Citizens' Federation, $25,000: Seniors involved with the organization will give seniors presentations on safety, eating, internet security, government services, and expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, $25,000: The organization will renovate their kitchen and purchase new appliances to allow seniors to continue participating in community dinners, information seminars, and social group meetings.

The Arthritis Society - Prince Edward Island Division, $19,300: Seniors involved with the organization will develop and deliver virtual and in-person programs to other seniors on understanding arthritis, management tips and tricks, mental wellness and COVID-19.

Trinity United Church, $25,000: The organization will install a new ventilation system to allow seniors to continue participating in activities such as community meetings, social dinners, and group fitness activities.

Sherwood Lawn Bowling Club, $4,130: The organization will purchase small, lightweight lawn bowls for seniors experiencing low income to support social participation and reduce isolation of seniors.

This year, the Government of Canada increased its investment in the New Horizons for Seniors Program to $60.8 million, funding over 3,000 community-based projects to support seniors across the country.

Quotes

“I am proud of the thousands of projects funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program across the country, helping Canadian seniors stay active and connected during this unprecedented time. Seniors have given and continue to give so much to our country—it’s important to provide them the programs and support they deserve.”

– Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte

“Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government of Canada is providing a wide range of opportunities for seniors in Charlottetown to participate in meaningful activities that nurture their personal growth and foster community vitality.”

– Sean Casey, MP for Charlottetown

Quick Facts

• Every year, organizations are invited to apply for New Horizons for Seniors Program (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 9, 2020, and closed on October 23, 2020.
  
  
• NHSP is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help foster social inclusion and improve seniors’ health and well-being.
  
  
• The funding helps support activities that engage seniors in their communities and address one or more of the program’s five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance.
  
  
• Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding. Additional grants of up to $5,000 were available for organizations that have not received funding from the program in the past five years.
  
  
• This year, increased funding and improvements to the program resulted in the highest number of applications ever, almost double the number of projects serving rural seniors, and a greater share of funded projects serving vulnerable seniors.
  
  
• Those improvements include updates to national priorities—including targeting vulnerable and rural seniors—improvements to the application process and program delivery, such as a longer intake period, more time to provide missing information, increased use of plain language and focusing support in communities with recent low uptake. These changes put increased emphasis on applicants’ ability to serve seniors over their ability to navigate an application process, while maintaining the same standards and rigour.
  
  
• Since 2004, the NHSP has funded over 30,000 projects, including projects related to COVID-19, in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $600 million. NHSP funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects.

Related Documents

Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program 

Associated Links

Programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening communities  
Prime Minister announces additional support for Canadian seniors
Prime Minister announces support for vulnerable Canadians affected by COVID‑19