New horizons for seniors

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, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, announced an investment of almost $100,000 for four community-based projects in Sault Ste. Marie. These projects will help seniors stay active, informed and socially connected in their community. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). 

• $25,000 toward Superior Adult Learning for seniors involved with the organization to tutor peers with diverse abilities and newcomers to improve digital skills needed to connect with family and to be more included within the community.

• $25,000 toward The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association to procure and set up the projector to enhance interactive activities for seniors to increase connections between seniors and their families.

• $25,000 toward Algoma Condominium Corporation  for renovating commons spaces and enhancing accessibility to create outdoor activities for seniors to promote healthy aging.

• $23,257 toward the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Senior Wellness Studio toward renovating the fitness room to allow seniors to continue classes on yoga, dance, and functional fitness to foster a healthy lifestyle, reduce isolation and increase participation.

As part of the 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. 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

“Promoting healthy aging and empowering seniors is essential in building an inclusive, age-friendly Sault Ste. Marie. Every year, the New Horizons for Seniors program plays a crucial role in enhancing seniors’ quality of life by providing funding for local projects. Those initiatives offer hands-on activities that enable seniors to remain active, expand their social network, engage in learning experiences, and age in their own homes and communities. By participating in these projects, seniors in our city can lead fulfilling lives and remain engaged members of our communities.”

– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors

“Many of our seniors have felt overwhelmed by the pace of technological change, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. With support from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors program, Superior Adult Learning has helped hundreds of people learn the skills they need to manage their daily lives, connect with friends and family and complete online tasks that many of us take for granted.” 

– Martin Wyant, Executive Director, Superior Adult Learning

“The project created opportunities within our condominium community for inclusion, engagement and social interaction as senior residents were actively involved in the planning, grant application, construction and opening celebration. Senior residents have been the driving force behind the development and implementation of the project which could not have been achieved without the support of the New Horizons Program for Seniors Program.”

– Laura MacRae, President, Algoma Condominium

“We are very excited to launch our rejuvenated Wellness Studio in the new year, made possible through the support of the New Horizons Program for Seniors. The new space will provide proper flooring, storage, and a sound system, creating a welcoming and modern environment designed to support our 55+ participants. By enhancing health and wellness opportunities, we aim to empower our older adults to stay active, foster connections, and maintain independence in their homes as they age.”

– Virginia McLeod, Manager of Recreation and Culture, City of Sault Ste. Marie

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.