April 26, 2019 Mississauga, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
Seniors make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and workplaces. That is why the Government of Canada remains committed to providing Canadian seniors with greater security and a better quality of life.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, wrapped up a successful four-day visit to Eastern and Central Ontario where she met with seniors and other key stakeholders to hear about issues important to Canadian seniors.
During her tour, Minister Tassi visited some of the almost 600 community-based projects approved across Ontario this year through the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). Projects supported by the NHSP contribute to the well-being of seniors by helping them stay active and connected with their community.
While in Barrie, Ontario, Minister Tassi announced a financial contribution of over $2.85 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, for the Allanview Place project, which will provide safe and affordable housing for 23 low-middle income families and another 11 units geared toward seniors. She made the announcement on behalf of Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
Minister Tassi also participated in a number of town hall discussions, where she highlighted how investments in Budget 2019 would help support Canadian seniors' active participation in society, and build on efforts to strengthen the retirement security of Canadians so they can enjoy a secure and dignified retirement after a lifetime of hard work. Through Budget 2019, the Government proposes to:
- Make retirement more financially secure for seniors who wish to work by enhancing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) earnings exemption so they can take home more of their hard-earned income.
- Ensure Canadian workers receive the full value of their pension by proactively enrolling Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributors who are 70 years old or older and who have not yet applied to receive their retirement pension.
- Enhance the security of workplace pensions through new measures that better protect pensions in the event of corporate insolvency, giving Canadians greater peace of mind when it comes to their retirement.
- Promote the inclusion and full participation of vulnerable seniors in society by increasing funding to the New Horizons for Seniors Program, supporting projects that provide new equipment for seniors' centres, offer financial literacy classes, create volunteer opportunities and prevent elder abuse and social isolation.
- Work with partners to move forward on the creation of a national pharmacare plan. This would include a Canadian Drug Agency that would assess the effectiveness of new prescription drugs and negotiate drug prices on behalf of Canada's drug plans; and establishing a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases to help Canadians get better access to the effective treatments that they need.
- Implement Canada's first National Dementia Strategy to improve the lives of Canadians with dementia, as well as their families and caregivers.
"The Government of Canada deeply values the contribution seniors make to our country. We know that when seniors can fully participate in society, everybody benefits. Through Budget 2019, we are taking more steps to strengthen seniors' connections within their communities, provide support to those who choose to stay in the workforce and ensure they have access to the benefits they are entitled to so they can stay active and involved throughout their retirement years."
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors
Quick facts
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Seniors are the fastest-growing demographic group in Canada. By 2030, the number of seniors will reach 9.6 million, representing close to one quarter of Canada's population.
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Budget 2019 proposed an investment of $100 million over five years, and $20 million per year ongoing, for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being.
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The New Horizons for Seniors Program fosters social inclusion and engagement of seniors by encouraging them to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others through projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and their communities.
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Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding, and up to $5,000 in new small grant funding is available for organizations that have not received funding within the last five years.
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Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance.
