August 22, 2022 Port Coquitlam, British Columbia Employment and Social Development Canada
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has helped millions of Canadians, including seniors, by providing them with COVID-19 related supports and benefits. As Canada emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government will continue to support community organizations that make a difference and create opportunities for seniors to stay active and involved in their communities.
Today, Canada's Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, announced an investment of $67,873 to fund three community-based projects to support seniors in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Minister made the announcement while visiting the Terry Fox Library.
Under the 2021 NHSP community-based call for proposals, over $61 million was invested in more than 3,000 community-based projects across Canada. In British Columbia, 398 projects were funded for a total of nearly $8.5 million.
In Budget 2022, the Government proposed an additional $20 million over two years, beginning in 2022-23, for an expanded NHSP to support more projects that improve the quality of life for seniors and help them to continue to participate fully in their communities.
As part of the 2021-22 NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects, organizations were invited to apply for funding in support of the following national priorities to reflect issues and priorities facing seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery:
- supporting healthy aging;
- preventing senior abuse;
- celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion; and
- helping seniors to age in place.
Through a simplified application process, organizations submitted project proposals to help seniors move beyond the pandemic and continue to play important roles in their communities.
