Government of Canada announces two calls for proposals for projects helping seniors across Canada stay active, engaged and informed

MP Bev Shipley encourages organizations to start submitting applications

On May 29, 2015, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), highlighted two New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) calls for proposals for projects that will keep Canadian seniors active, engaged and informed. The application period for both calls for proposals began on May 29, 2015 and will close on July 10, 2015.

The 2015-2016 NHSP Call for Proposals for Pan-Canadian Projects invites organizations to apply for funding for projects that will help to reduce social isolation among seniors by using collaborative approaches that place an emphasis on measurable results. The Government of Canada is partnering with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and its Innoweave initiative to support the development, implementation and scaling of these collaborative approaches to reduce social isolation among seniors. Applicants can contact Innoweave through its Seniors SI program to obtain support and to learn more about how organizations can work together to address social isolation. More information on how to apply for funding is available at Canada.ca/Seniors .

The annual NHSP Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects is inviting organizations to apply for funding of up to $25,000 for projects that help empower seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and support communities by increasing their capacity to address local issues. More information on how to apply is available at Canada.ca/Seniors .

NHSP CHART

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ health, well-being and contributions by encouraging them to stay active, engaged and informed.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded nearly 15,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, representing a total Government of Canada investment of $350 million.
• Since 2006, $2.8 billion in annual tax relief has been provided to seniors and pensioners.
• In 2006, over 30 percent of Canada’s seniors were at risk of social isolation
• The National Seniors Council (NSC), in its Report on the Social Isolation of Seniors, 2013–2014, highlighted the importance of working with a wide array of organizations that deliver services and programs in an efficient and effective manner to alleviate isolation among older Canadians. The report can be found on Canada.ca/Seniors
• The Government of Canada released the Government of Canada – Action for Seniors report in September 2014. The report is a new information resource highlighting federal programs and services that can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers. It was created in collaboration with more than 22 federal departments and agencies. The report can be found on Canada.ca/Seniors .
• For a wide range of information for seniors, including details on the NHSP, please visit Canada.ca/Seniors .

Quotes:

“Our Government is proud to invest in New Horizons for Seniors Program projects that aim to reduce social isolation of seniors in communities across Canada. We welcome the opportunity to team up with innovative partners whose diverse knowledge, resources and collective experience will help us explore new and meaningful ways we can keep seniors active, engaged and informed.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

Associated Links

• Canada.ca/Seniors
• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors Program
• Economic Action Plan 2015
• Innoweave Seniors SI initiative
• National Seniors Council