Government of Canada launches call for proposals for seniors' projects in
Quebec

MONTREAL, May 3 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada is once again accepting applications from non-profit organizations in Quebec who want to improve the lives of Canada's seniors.

Today, the 2010-2011 call for proposals under the Community Participation and Leadership and Capital Assistance components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program was launched by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).

"The Government of Canada recognizes that our seniors have dedicated their time, energy and knowledge towards enriching this country," said Minister Finley. "Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are striving to provide our aging population with new opportunities to lead, and benefit from, local programs and activities designed for seniors."

"Canada's seniors are redefining what it means to be an older person," added Minister of State Ablonczy. "They are leading more active lives and continue to contribute to their communities in new and innovative ways. For this reason, we are committed to helping ensure that all Canadians, young and old, can continue to enjoy a good standard of living and quality of life."

Funding will go towards community-based projects that encourage seniors to play an important role in their communities, and will enable organizations with programs for seniors to replace aging equipment or make needed renovations to their facilities. Up to $25,000 in funding is available per project.

The deadline for proposals is September 17, 2010. For more information on this call for proposals, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

In order to ensure coherent and complementary action to the benefit of seniors, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed a protocol setting out ways to collaborate in implementing the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Following discussions under the protocol regarding coordination of respective calendars, the launch of the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program call for proposals coincides with that of the Government of Quebec for its programs for seniors, Du coeur à l'action pour les aînés au Québec and Soutien aux initiatives visant le respect des aînés. For information on the Government of Quebec's programs for seniors, please visit www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government continues to protect Canadians, including seniors, in difficult times by implementing several key measures:

    
    - Providing approximately $1.9 billion annually in tax relief to seniors
      and pensioners;
    - Increasing the Age Credit by $1,000 for 2009 and beyond to allow
      eligible seniors to receive up to an additional $150 in annual tax
      savings;
    - Helping older workers and their families by investing an additional $60
      million over three years in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers,
      and by expanding the number of eligible communities to include older
      workers in small cities;
    - Providing $400 million over two years through the Affordable Housing
      Initiative for the construction of housing units for low-income
      seniors; and
    - Investing $13 million over three years to help raise awareness of elder
      abuse and assist seniors in dealing with this difficult issue.
    

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

    
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                       New Horizons for Seniors Program
    

Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.

Budget 2010 committed $5 million per year to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.

The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:

    
    1. Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000): this
       funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects
       encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their
       communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and
       sharing their knowledge and skills with others.

    2. Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000): this funding helps non-
       profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used
       for existing seniors' programs and activities. It enables seniors to
       continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs
       and activities in their communities.

    3. Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 annually over a maximum
       of three years): this funding helps non-profit organizations and
       coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national
       or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness
       resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of
       life, safety and security for seniors.
    

For further information: (media only): Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]; Media Relations Office, Human Resources and Skills, Development Canada, [phone]