Ottawa/CMEDIA: An investment reportedly of over $54 million for more than 2,600 community-based projects that support seniors and benefit more than 400 communities across Canada was announced at the Sage Seniors Association in Edmonton, Alberta by Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors), and others.
“The New Horizons for Seniors Program helps fund projects that keep seniors involved in their communities and create more opportunities for participation and inclusion. The projects announced today will help seniors stay active and connected in every part of the country,” said McLean.
The Sage Seniors Association in Edmonton, Alberta received $25,000 in funding awarded through the 2025–26 call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
The community-based stream of NHSP invests in projects that help to improve seniors’ quality of life.
In the 2025–26 call for proposals, organizations were eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding for projects of up to 52 weeks.
As Seniors are expected to represent almost 25% of the population by 2059 and could reach 11 million people within 15 years,NHSP plays a pivotal role in this effort by creating opportunities for thousands of seniors to remain engaged and active participants in their communities.
Funding a wide variety of projects, this program supports key Government priorities, such as digital literacy initiatives, fraud prevention and awareness programs, and intergenerational mentoring efforts, all aimed at supporting seniors and fostering stronger, more connected communities.
Besides providing financial support, this funding would enable the organization to offer ongoing social and learning activities, financial workshops, digital education sessions, and monthly community meetings, all designed to promote social participation and support seniors’ digital literacy.
“This funding is unique in its focus on the strengths and contributions of older adults, while also investing in the community-based organizations needed to support and engage them…New Horizons for Seniors Program is helping to build healthier communities. Sage appreciates the Government of Canada’s continued commitment to this important work,” said Karen McDonald, Executive Director, Sage | Seniors Association.
Later this spring, the 2026-27 call for proposals will be launched along with changes to the program which include raising the maximum funding amount to $50,000 per project.
Included in the government’s implementation of many important measures to make life more affordable for older Canadians and to help seniors better meet their everyday needs are increasing Old Age Security for those over 75, expanding the Guaranteed Income Supplement earnings exemption, introducing the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and improving access to affordable internet, the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will provide further support to low- and modest-income households, including those of seniors, as the cost of living continues to rise.
Program funding supports projects that address one or more of the program’s five objectives:
- promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations;
- engaging seniors through the mentoring of others;
- expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
- supporting social participation and the inclusion of seniors; and
- providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and programs for seniors.
Project proposals must involve seniors in vital roles to lead, plan or deliver the project.
Since its inception in 2004, the program has funded over 45,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with the Government of Canada’s total investment now surpassing $1 billion in funding.
Based on the last two years of available data, more than 900,000 seniors participate in NHSP community-based projects each year.
