The Government of Canada supports seniors in Sarnia–Lambton

February 21, 2008

SARNIA, ONTARIO — Ms. Pat Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia–Lambton, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors), today celebrated funding for three projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program to ensure that seniors in Sarnia–Lambton have the opportunity to participate and take an active leadership role in their communities.

Speaking at the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Ms. Davidson noted that funding of $58,585 is being invested in three projects in Sarnia–Lambton. This includes $25,000 for the Joining the Generations, Sharing our Knowledge project organized by the Aamjiwnaang First Nation. Throughout Ontario, total funding of $6,014,538 is being provided for 281 projects to support 112 communities.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country,” said Ms. Davidson. “The three projects we are funding in Sarnia–Lambton will encourage seniors to continue sharing their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others.”

In Budget 2007, the Government of Canada announced an additional investment of $10 million per year for two new components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program: raising awareness of elder abuse, and providing capital assistance for upgrades to facilities and equipment used for existing seniors’ programs. Projects funded under these new components will be announced in the spring of 2008.

The federal government is also addressing the needs of Canada’s seniors through the introduction of a series of important measures that include:
establishing the National Seniors Council to advise the Government on issues of importance to older Canadians;
enabling 1.6 million low-income seniors to benefit from increased monthly benefits available under the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and to make a one-time application for the GIS. As long as these seniors file income tax returns every year, they will never have to reapply;
providing more than $1 billion in tax relief to Canadian seniors and pensioners in Budget 2007;
allowing seniors to build their retirement savings in Registered Pension Plans and Registered Retirement Savings Plans for an extra two years until age 71; and
raising the amount seniors can claim under the age credit on their tax returns for 2007. With less income taxed, seniors save more.

Since its launch, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 2,600 projects across Canada, inspiring seniors to bring their leadership, energy and skills to projects that benefit their communities.

For more information about the Program, please visit
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml.