Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has helped millions of Canadians, including seniors, by providing them with COVID-19 related supports and benefits. As Canada emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government will continue to support community organizations that make a difference and create opportunities for seniors to stay active and involved in their communities.
Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Seniors, the Honourable Kamal Khera, announced an investment of $367,000 for 15 community-based projects in the territory. These projects will empower seniors in their community and provide them with the programs and support they deserve. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
In Budget 2022, the Government proposed an additional $20 million over two years, beginning in 2022–23, for an expanded NHSP to support more projects that improve the quality of life for seniors and help them continue to participate fully in their communities.
As part of this year’s NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects, organizations were invited to apply for funding in support of the following national priorities to reflect issues and priorities facing seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery:
Through a simplified application process, organizations submitted project proposals to help seniors move beyond the pandemic and continue to play important roles in their communities.
Quotes
“Every year, the New Horizons for Seniors Program makes a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors across Canada. I am thrilled that we are funding thousands of projects across the country focused on improving the quality of life of seniors. These projects will help seniors fight social isolation, will combat seniors fraud, and will support healthy aging in an inclusive and accessible environment. By supporting these community-based projects we are taking action to ensure that seniors are empowered and have a strong presence in their communities.”
– Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera
“Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government of Canada is providing a wide range of opportunities for seniors in the NWT to participate in meaningful activities that nurture their personal growth and foster community vitality.”
– Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories
“The St. John's Anglican Church's Ladies Guild is very thankful for the support of MP McLeod in empowering Seniors to be informed decision-makers and to learn about many supports in our community for Seniors, and to allow people to make a worthwhile contribution to Seniors in our community who may be our friends, neighbours and families.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program funding supports the St. John's Anglican Ladies Guild in rebuilding a sense of community among Seniors in Fort Smith after the isolation of the COVID years. The New Horizons programming has allowed us to create an open and welcoming space for all seniors in Fort Smith to come together in a monthly gathering for a nutritious meal, learning and socialization. This Senior-led initiative sees people work together and support local artists, musicians and chefs to contribute to the well-being of friends and neighbours. With the financial support of the Canada New Horizons grant we are able to create learning opportunities about available senior supports in our community, and to empower seniors to be informed decision makers in their lives and community.”
- Phyllis Mawdsley, President, Ladies Guild of St. John's Anglican Church
“The Yellowknife Curling Club is very pleased that our application to the New Horizons for Seniors Program was approved. The sport of curling is a great way to stay active and make new friends during our long northern winters. This upcoming 2022/2023 season we will be able to cover the cost of membership, curling instruction and other related program fees. Our seniors drop in league meets every Monday afternoon from October to March for a draw (game) and a social half hour with snacks afterwards. Registration will be announced in September with more details on how to join.”
- Bridget White, Yellowknife Curling Club Manager
“The added funding for our Elders enables us to continue with our Elders Council. Our Elders Council not only provides activities for our Elders, the Council provides a platform for our Elders to be heard and included in the decisions affecting Tulita and its residents.”
- Knowledge Keepers of Tulita
"We, the staff and students at Collège Nordique, are excited to be continuing with the New Horizons for Seniors Program again this year! The cross-cultural experiences between Indigenous elders and people across the NWT have been so meaningful for the communities. As elders and seniors to share their knowledge of their culture and language, we are taking important steps toward language revitalization. We encourage everyone to sign up for the program and continue to put reconciliation into action!"
- Rosie Benning, Language School Manager at Collège Nordique
“Tuktoyaktuk Community Elders program serves an important role, as it not only builds and supports networks and provides opportunity for elders to socialize and participate in many cultural activities such as berry picking, sharing traditional food and spending time on the land. Since the opening of the highway, Tuktoyaktuk elders are called upon to host the ever-expanding tourism demands to perform and engage with visitors from many parts of the world. We are proud of our elders who worked diligently through the covid crisis to support and give strength to our community.”
-Nellie Cournoyea, Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation
“The Seniors in Enterprise are extremely grateful for the New Horizons Program for Seniors, because without this financial help there would be limited activities or gatherings for seniors in our community and for seniors in our area: Kakisa, Hay River, and the First Nations of Katlodeeche and West Point. Thank you Michael for promoting this program.”
- Amy Mercredi, Enterprise Seniors Society
“Food is the one thing that brings people together. We love to cook it, eat it and share it with friends and family. For Indigenous people, traditional foods closely ties them to the land they live on. By creating the outdoor cooking area at the Woodland Manor Long Term Care Facility it will promote health, healing and wellness of by bringing all generations together to share and learn. Our seniors can share knowledge, skills and experience on an intergenerational level, and have an active social life that has been missing during the pandemic.”
- Angela Broadhead, Hay River Health & Social Services Authority
Quick Facts
Related Documents
Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program
Backgrounder: List of Projects (Below)
Associated Links
Programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening communities
Backgrounder: Government of Canada supports for seniors
Minister Khera announces one-time payment
|
|
|
|
|
|
AVENS - A Community for Seniors |
Outdoor Oasis |
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in gardening activities and education sessions in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Collège nordique francophone |
Intergenerational and cross-cultural mentoring project |
Seniors involved with the organization will continue Tli¿cho classes, sharing language and culture with younger professionals in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Enterprise Senior Society |
Helping Hands Working Together |
Seniors involved with the organization will attend social activities, including bowling, swimming, fishing, golfing and walking in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Gwich'in Tribal Council |
Uplifting the Stories of Elders |
Seniors involved with the organization will plan and conduct story telling sessions with NWT elders to record digital stories in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities |
Seniors Shelter Support Services |
Seniors involved with the organization will attend elder abuse workshops, recreation programs, and mentoring activities in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Hay River Health and Social Services Authority |
Development of an Outdoor Gathering Space for Elders & Seniors |
The organization will renovate the outdoor gathering space to offer traditional food and storytelling in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Incorporated Hamlet of Tulita |
Tulita Knowledge Keepers |
Seniors involved with the organization will attend physical exercise, gardening, mental health, and food preservation classes in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
K'asho Got'ine Housing Society |
Elders Supporting Kádúyi´le |
Seniors involved with the organization will attend regular programming such as preparing meals, teaching language, and culture in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Kátl’odeeche Ohn Dah’ |
Kátl’odeeche Ohn Dah’ Elders Society |
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in cultural activities, culture camp, and a spiritual gathering in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Liidlii Kue First Nation |
Elder Inclusion |
Seniors involved with the organization will develop and implement workshops and traditional activities in order to promote volunteerism among seniors and other generations. |
$25,000 |
|
St. John's Anglican Church |
Seniors' Open House |
Seniors involved with the organization will attend monthly gatherings with session topics, activities, and entertainment in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$22,950 |
|
Town of Inuvik |
Community Services Elder Initiatives |
Seniors involved with the organization will attend digital literacy program and social activities in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation |
Elders and Youth on the Land in Tuktoyaktuk |
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in traditional land-based activities for Elders and youth in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$25,000 |
|
Yellowknife Curling Club |
Seniors Curling Inclusion Program |
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in the curling inclusion program in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. |
$19,032 |
|
Yellowknife Uplifts Society |
Seniors Self Help Group |
Seniors involved with the organization will provide support groups and healing camps with cultural activities in order to expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse. |
$25,000 |
