NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY - Canadians deserve to age with dignity. That comes down to choice, to affordability, to inclusion, and to community. The New Horizons for Seniors Program creates those opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported, and active members of their communities.

Today, Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages on behalf of Canada’s Minister for Seniors, Seamus O’Regan Jr., announced an investment of $25,000 for the Golden Age Club in River Valley. The funds will help the organization make repairs and upgrades to the building to make it safer and more accessible for seniors who participate in communal meals and other social activities. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

This adds itself to the over $420,000 invested in New Horizons for Seniors projects across the riding since 2016.

As part of the 2023–24 NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects, organizations were encouraged to apply for funding to deliver projects that support the national priorities for this cycle:

• supporting healthy aging;
• preventing senior abuse;
• celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion; and
• supporting financial security.

These projects further support the Government’s work to help Canadian seniors age with dignity and choice. This work also includes the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, which has already helped over 46,000 seniors access dental care, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their teeth and putting food on the table.

Budget 2024 is the Government’s plan to build more homes, faster, help make life cost less, and grow the economy in a way that helps every generation get ahead. The Government's ongoing support for the New Horizons for Seniors Program means more assistance for community-based projects that strengthen our communities and make life better for Canadian seniors.

Quotes

“Loneliness is an awful thing, and too many seniors feel lonely. They want to be active and feel like they’re part of their community, giving back, helping out, looking after themselves. It’s so important. New Horizons helps make those connections and do all that.” – Minister of Labour and Seniors, Seamus O’Regan Jr.

“When seniors receive the support and care they need, communities thrive. The New Horizons for Seniors program remains instrumental in enhancing seniors' quality of life and fostering an age-friendly environment in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. I look forward to seeing all the positive ripple effects from New Horizons for Seniors funded projects across the riding!” -  Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Official Languages

"Thanks to the generous support from the New Horizons for Seniors program, we're able to revitalize our club, creating a space where every senior feels welcome. The changes will lead to a more inclusive and vibrant experience for the aging population in River Valley and surrounding communities," – Alain Gareau, President of the River Valley Golden Age Club

Quick facts

• Seniors are one of Canada’s fastest-growing population groups. They will represent almost 25% of the population by 2051 and could reach close to 11 million people within 15 years.
• The New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream is a federal grants program whose goal is to invest in projects that help seniors stay active and engaged in the community. Organizations are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
• Program funding supports projects that address one or more of the Program’s five objectives: promoting volunteering among seniors and other generations, engaging seniors through the mentoring of others, expanding awareness of elder abuse, supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors and providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and programs for seniors.
• Project proposals are targeted to vulnerable senior populations, including Indigenous seniors, seniors with disabilities, members of racialized and newcomer groups, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, low-income seniors, veterans, members of official language minority communities and people who primarily speak languages other than English or French.
• Since its inception in 2004, the Program has funded around 40,000 local projects and broader-reaching initiatives in hundreds of communities across Canada, with the Government of Canada having invested a total of more than $850 million.
• Every year, organizations are invited to apply for NHSP community-based funding through a call for proposals. The projects announced today were approved as part of a call for proposals that was launched on August 1, 2023, and closed on September 28, 2023.

Related document

Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program

Associated links

Programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening communities

Backgrounder: Government of Canada supports for seniors

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Contact

Kaylie Dudgeon, Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages
705-507-2416 / [email protected]