Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has helped millions of Canadians, including seniors, by providing them with supports and benefits related to COVID-‑19. As Canada emerges from the pandemic, the Government of Canada 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, and Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Canestoga, announced an investment of $474,342 to fund 22 community-based projects to support seniors in the Kitchener-Waterloo area in Ontario. This funding was awarded through the 2021-22 New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) call for proposals for community-based projects. The Minister made the announcement while visiting the Mill Courtland Community Centre.
Minister Khera also highlighted funding under the NHSP pan-Canadian projects stream for the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging Foundation. Its "Supporting Inclusion through Intergenerational Partnerships" (SIIP) project aims to improving social inclusion among community-dwelling seniors with mild to moderate dementia in the Region of Waterloo. SIIP enables older adults living with dementia, their care partners, and youth to interact in meaningful ways including sharing time, skills and experiences with one another.
Amid global uncertainty, the Government of Canada introduced targeted measures in the Fall Economic Statement to help Canadians who need it the most, including seniors. Recent measures include doubling the GST credit for six months, putting on average an additional $225 back in the pockets of Canadian seniors, and delivering a $500 one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit to support low-income renters. Last summer, the Government of Canada also increased the Old Age Security Pension by 10% for seniors 75 and older who are among the most vulnerable, representing $800 for full pensioners. These measures have a positive impact on a lot of seniors and aim to build an economy that works for everyone.
During her trip to Kitchener-Waterloo, Minister Khera also visited the Ontario Muslim Academy, Community Support Connections and the Wilmot Family Resource Centre.
Under the 2021-22 NHSP community-based call for proposals, over $61 million was invested in more than 3,000 community-based projects across Canada. In Ontario, 1,036 projects were funded for a total of over $21.94 million.
Program funding creates opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported and active members of their communities. This year's national priorities aim to do just that by focusing on projects that:
- support healthy aging;
- prevent elder abuse;
- celebrate diversity and promote inclusion; and
- help seniors 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.
