L to R: Sheri Davis - Learning Disabilities Association of Peterborough
Shirley Shaw - Activity Haven
Dean Del Mastro - MP Peterborough
Doug Willoughby - Norwood Legion Branch 300
Marion Batten - Mapleridge Seniors Centre
Doreen Anderson-Roy - VON Peterborough Victoria Haliburton
(April 16, 2009 - PETERBOROUGH, ON) Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding, today announced federal support to five organizations under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
MP Del Mastro made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Marjory, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors).
“The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in building and strengthening communities across our country,” said MP Del Mastro. “These projects will enable the continuation of programs and activities in the Peterborough Riding that allow seniors to stay involved in their communities.”
MP Del Mastro highlighted $114,047 in funding to the five organizations under the Community Participation and Leadership and Capital Assistance components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The Learning Disabilities Association of Peterborough will receive $25,000 under the Community Participation and Leadership component to encourage seniors to continue playing an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
The other four projects will receive funding under the Capital Assistance component, which helps organizations that support seniors to replace outdated equipment or undertake needed renovations:
- VON Canada-Ontario-Peterborough, Victoria and Haliburton Branch, will receive $25,000
- The Mapleridge Seniors’ Recreation Centre will receive $22,718
- The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 300 will receive $24,768
- The Activity Haven Senior Centre of Peterborough will receive $16,561
With the other component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program - Elder Abuse Awareness - the overall budget of the Program is $35 million per year.
Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 5,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government made a clear commitment to protect Canadians, including seniors, in difficult times by implementing several key measures:
Increasing the Age Credit by $1,000 for 2009 and beyond to allow eligible seniors to receive up to an additional $150 in annual tax savings.
Providing seniors with $200 million in tax relief by reducing the required minimum withdrawal amount for 2008 from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25 percent, in recognition of the impact of the deterioration in market conditions on retirement savings.
Helping older workers and their families through these tough economic times by investing an additional $60 million over three years in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, and by expanding the number of eligible communities to include older workers in small cities.
Providing $400 million over two years through the Affordable Housing Initiative for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors.
Establishing an independent Task Force to make recommendations on a cohesive national strategy on financial literacy for Canadians.
