NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY– The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) supports projects to create more inclusive communities and to make workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities. Currently, eligible organizations could apply to the mid-sized projects component which provides contributions of up to $1 million to support larger retrofit, renovation or construction projects in facilities that house programs and services that help increase social participation and labour market opportunities for persons with disabilities in Canada. The call for proposals for this stream is open until July 29, 2021.

EAF also offers The Youth Innovation component which is accepting applications until October 29,2021. This stream seeks to engage and challenge youth between 15 and 30 years of age, to volunteer and collaborate with local organizations in their communities to secure funding of up to $10,000 for accessibility projects.

Through Budget 2021, the Government is committing an additional funding of $100 million over two years to the EAF starting in 2021-22, that will triple funding to support small and mid-sized projects with not-for-profit organizations, women’s shelters, small municipalities, Indigenous organizations, territorial governments, and businesses of all sizes. This will be critical to ensure equal opportunity for all to work in safe and accessible surroundings and fully take part in activities. With programs such as the EAF we continue to break down the barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from fully participating in all aspects of Canadian society, ensuring that everyone has equal access and opportunity.

Quote

“Funding through EAF has made a real difference in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Since 2015, over $1.2 million has been allocated to organizations and municipalities in our riding to help them break down barriers and ensure better opportunities for residents. Some of the funded projects have included the Azilda therapeutic pool, lifts for the Chevaliers de Colombs facilities in Field, ramps for the Valley Community Theatre and a more accessible community website for the municipality of St.-Charles just to name a few. Most recently, Gogama received funding to make their heritage museum more accessible, an important step for tourism and economic recovery as we move through this pandemic. We are stronger when all residents can live, play and work in inclusive environments. I strongly encourage all eligible organizations to take advantage of these new calls for proposals in an effort to keep our communities better interconnected.” – Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

Quick Facts

• For the Mid-sized projects component, organizations can submit project proposals for funding from $350,000 up to $1 million.  The call for proposals is open until July 29, 2021.
• For the Youth Innovation component, youth working in partnership with not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations and territorial governments are eligible to apply for project funding of up to $10,000. Youth must submit their expressions of interest by October 29, 2021, and organizations working with youth have until November 30, 2021 to submit a project proposal.
• $29.2 million under Budget 2021 was committed over two years to help children with disabilities by supporting childcare centres to make the physical upgrades needed to improve the accessibility of their facilities.
• The Government of Canada has funded over 4,700 projects, since creating the Enabling Accessibility Fund in 2007, improving accessibility in communities and workplaces for persons with disabilities and all Canadians.
• Moving forward, the Government of Canada will continue to listen and take into account the needs and interests of persons with disabilities, while focusing its efforts in a safe and inclusive restart of Canada’s economy.

Associated links

Apply for funding for the mid-sized projects under the Enabling Accessibility Fund
Apply for funding under the Youth Innovation Component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund
Enabling Accessibility Fund
Making an accessible Canada for people with disabilities
Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

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Media Contact:

Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt
705-897-2222
[email protected]