NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY - Today, Marc G. Serré Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, highlighted 3 projects led by organizations in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury that received a total of $121,632 in funding through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF). Funding through the Small projects component of EAF will support:

• Paul the Apostle for accessible washrooms and an accessible door…………………. $23,674
• Municipality of Killarney for accessible washrooms and doors………………………...…...$38,946
• Royal Canadian Legion Capreol Branch 179………...…………………………………….…$59,012

The EAF is a federal grants and contributions program that supports construction projects across Canada that improve the accessibility, safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities in our communities. The program helps provide vital accessible infrastructure such as ramps, automatic doors and accessible washrooms. It directly supports organizations so they can offer programs, services and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.

These projects are excellent examples of how, by working with organizations, the Government of Canada is helping to break down barriers to accessibility and disability inclusion. 

MP Serré also reminded eligible organizations of the two new calls for proposals under the EAF Mid-sized projects and Youth Innovation components. The Mid-sized projects component 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 Youth Innovation component 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 that remove barriers in their communities. 

Quotes

“When barriers to accessibility and inclusion are removed, Canadians with disabilities can participate fully, helping our communities thrive and our economy prosper. This is why I am so excited to see that three community organizations are working to help improve accessibility and further disability inclusion in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. In many ways the projects supported by the Enabling Accessibility Fund make a world of difference to persons with disabilities and helps us move forward together towards a more disability inclusive Canada.” – Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

“Accessibility helps build a better tomorrow for all in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Since 2015, thanks to the Enabling Accessibility Fund over $1.2 million has helped organizations in all corners of the riding to make our community more accessible for persons with disabilities. We are stronger when all residents can live, play and work in inclusive environments. “ – Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

“The Municipality of Killarney is extremely pleased to receive funding from Employment and Social Development Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, for our Killarney Community Centre Sports Hut Accessibility Project. The project will include the creation of a level and accessible surface for easier mobility to a newly installed automatic entrance door. The changes to the Sports Hut will mean much easier access to local events, for our seniors and those in the community with mobility issues.” – Nancy Wirtz, Mayor of Killarney

“Thanks to the funds through the Enabling Accessibility program the Capreol Legion will be more accessible for all. We look forward to upgrading our washroom facilities to accommodate individuals with all levels of mobility and make visiting the Legion easier.”- Louis Dines, President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 179 in Capreol

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has funded over 4,700 projects, since the establishment of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) in 2007, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to their communities’ programs, services and employment opportunities.
• The Small projects component of the EAF provides funding to organizations for small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that enable persons with disabilities to live and work in more inclusive and accessible communities. Grant funding can be up to $100,000 per project. Projects may enable a child with a visual impairment to participate in community activities, or make it possible for a person who uses a wheelchair to access his or her place of work.
• Two new EAF call(s) for proposals (CFP) was/were launched on Friday, June 4.
• Under the 2021 Mid-sized component (CFP), organizations will be able to submit project proposals for funding from $350,000 up to $1 million. The call for proposals will remain open until July 29, 2021.
• Under the 2021 Youth Innovation component (CFP), expressions of interest from youth will be accepted until October 29, 2021. The deadline for organizations working with youth to submit their proposals will be November 30, 2021.
• Budget 2021 committed additional funding of $100 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to triple funding for the EAF and support small and mid-sized projects with not-for-profit organizations, women’s shelters, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, territorial governments, and businesses of all sizes. An additional $29.2 million over two years was committed to help children with disabilities by supporting child care centres to make the physical upgrades to improve the accessibility of their facilities.
  
  

Associated Links

Enabling Accessibility Fund
Hiring persons with disabilities
Making an accessible Canada for persons with disabilities

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Contact

Kaylie Dudgeon,
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt
[email protected]
705-507-2416