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, Canada's Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, announced an investment of over $61 million to fund over 3,000 community-based projects to support seniors across the country. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).The Government invests approximately $50M per year to support NHSP community-based projects. In Budget 2022, an additional $20 million over two years was proposed, for an expanded NHSP 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 ageing 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.
The Minister made the announcement in Winnipeg while visiting SEED Winnipeg Inc. and was joined by Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor, and Kevin Lamoureux, Member for Parliament for Winnipeg North. Seniors involved with the SEED Winnipeg project will develop and pilot money management workshops for indigenous communities on topics like fraud prevention, safe investing and financial abuse.
This announcement builds on the Government's commitment to improving 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 is also providing one-time Grocery Rebate that will provide relief to the Canadians hardest hit by the rising of food prices. Seniors are among the Canadians and families being helped and those eligible will receive more in their pockets on July 5th through the Grocery Rebate.
