Menzies Announces $25,000 in Funding for a New Project to Benefit Local Seniors
December 20, 2006

FORT MACLEOD, ALBERTA, December 20, 2006—Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for MacLeod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $25,000 in funding for the Fort MacLeod and District Family and Community Support Services.

The funding, provided through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, will be used to help reduce social isolation of seniors. The organization will raise awareness of seniors’ value to the community, by producing a video documenting local senior life stories.

“Canada’s new government recognizes that seniors have helped to build this country and we should be giving something back to them,” said Mr. Menzies. “Projects like the one Fort MacLeod and District Family and Community Support Services is undertaking help reduce social isolation and promote seniors’ continuing involvement in the community.”

“Our seniors have contributed so much to our country and our communities,” said Minister Finley. “They have worked hard all their lives and deserve our effort and support. The New Horizons For Seniors Program helps all of us by helping seniors directly in their communities.”

Canada’s new Government is acting to address the needs of seniors through the introduction of a series of important measures that include:

  • A proposed change in tax policy for seniors, beginning in 2007, permitting income splitting for pensioners;
  • Bringing forward legislation to make it easier for seniors to apply for and receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement;
  • Increasing the Pension Income Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per year – putting almost $900 million back in the hands of seniors over the next two years; and
  • Introducing a Tax Fairness Plan that will increase the age credit by $1,000 (from $4,066 to $5,066) effective this tax year.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program provides grants to support a range of community-based projects across Canada that encourage seniors to contribute to their communities through social participation and active living. Projects support broad national objectives and regional priorities.


For more information on the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca.


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