Canada to fund more than 3,000 projects to support its seniors

Representative image of Supporting Canada seniors. Credit: Unsplash/Sq Lim

Ottawa/CMEDIA: Kamal Khera, Canada’s Minister of Seniors, on Monday announced an investment of $61.34 million to fund over 3,000 community-based projects to support seniors across the country, a news release said.

The funding was in response to the most recent call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) in Canada.

“Every year, the New Horizons for Seniors Program makes a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors across Canada…By supporting these community-based projects we are taking action to ensure that seniors are empowered and have a strong presence in their communities,” said Kamal Khera in the news release

As part of the 2021-22 NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects, organizations were invited to apply for funding to support seniors during COVID-19 pandemic recovery national priorities reflecting issues and priorities including supporting healthy, ageing-preventing senior abuse, celebrating diversity, and promoting inclusion, and helping seniors to age in place.

Organizations were able to submit project proposals through a simplified application process to help seniors move beyond the pandemic and continue to play important roles in their communities.

The aim of this project is to reduce ageism with the goal to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors by developing a program with other community organizations.

Millions of Canadians, including seniors, have been helped by the Government of Canada since the beginning of the pandemic by providing them with COVID-19-related support and benefits.

Canada’s decision to continue to support community organizations that make a difference and create opportunities for seniors as Canada emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic would facilitate and encourage seniors to stay active and involved in their communities.

  “Seniors are the backbone of our communities…Our government will continue to be there for seniors from coast to coast to coast and to ensure that they have the supports they deserve,” said Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors in the news release. 

An additional $20 million over two years, beginning in 2022–23 was proposed by Canada in Budget 2022 for an expanded NHSP to support additional projects to improve the quality of life of seniors and help them to continue to participate fully in their communities.

“The World Health Organization describes…Ageism toward oneself results from internalizing societal ageism. The Centre on Aging is pleased to…develop programming to reduce internalized ageism in older people and to allow them to maximize their full potential and to improve their lives,” Michelle M. Porter, Director, Centre on Aging said in the news release.

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