July 27, 2023 Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Employment and Social Development Canada
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.
Today, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Labour and Seniors, Seamus O'Regan Jr., Michael V. McLeod, Member for Parliament for Northwest Territories announced an investment of $93,031 to fund four community-based projects to support seniors in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.The announcement took place at the Collège nordique francophone. Seniors involved with the organization will host cultural activities and enhance digital literacy via intergenational and cross-cultural activities to promote social participation and mentorship. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
The Government invests approximately $50 million per year to support NHSP community-based projects. In Budget 2022, an additional $20 million over two years was proposed, for an expanded program 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 aging 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.
Today's announcement builds on the Government's commitment to improve 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 also provided a one-time grocery rebate that provided relief to the Canadians hit hardest by the rising of food prices. Eligible seniors are among the Canadians and families who received more money in their pockets on July 5 through the grocery rebate.
