Conservative Government Engaging Seniors, Strengthening Communities

December 03, 2009

Ottawa – Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, is pleased to announce new funding for the Community Participation and Leadership component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) in Alberta.

Community Participation and Leadership Funding provides one-time, start-up grant funding for community-based projects that enable seniors to play an important role in their communities.  It encourages seniors to contribute their skills, experience, and wisdom in support of social well-being in their communities, and helps to reduce their risk of social isolation.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the value of seniors to their communities and acknowledges their contribution as a hallmark of society,” said Menzies.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program works with Canadian seniors who want to be more involved in their communities and to share their life experiences. The initiatives funded by this program enrich communities across Canada by empowering seniors to share knowledge, transfer skills, and bring generations of Canadians closer together.

The funding will provide support for a wide variety of organizations that engage seniors in community-based activities, including programs at home in Macleod:

• Grandma’s Family in Pincher Creek, where senior women will use their wisdom and experience to encourage cultural awareness among young women caring for children.
• Elder Abuse: A Traditional First Nation Perspective is a two-day forum to examine elder abuse among First Nations communities in Southern Alberta.

Across Alberta, the New Horizons for Seniors Program will help to ensure that seniors engage with their neighbours through social participation and active living.

For more information about the New Horizons for Seniors Program and other Government of Canada initiatives, visit www.seniors.gc.ca.