Minister Duclos highlights innovative work local organizations are doing to improve the lives of seniors in Québec

QUÉBEC, March 15, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, will visit Accès transports viables in Québec today at 1:30 p.m. and the Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg at 2:30 p.m. to discuss innovative approaches to improving the lives of seniors. He will also congratulate both organizations on their concerted effort to help local seniors play an active role in their communities.

Minister Duclos will share views on seniors issues and measures to support seniors while emphasizing that partnerships with local governments, institutions and organizations are vital to deliver positive change and improve the lives of seniors.

As part of its activities, the Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg connects with seniors who are isolated and vulnerable and helps them establish a support network so they can enjoy a safe, secure and satisfying life. This month, Accès transports viables launched a unique initiative targeting people 60 years of age and older. This initiative aims to help address urban transportation issues seniors face, and will look at ways to make it easier for seniors to overcome mobility issues that can lead to isolation.

Quotes

"I am inspired by the work being done by many local organizations such as the Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg and Accès transports viables to help seniors in their communities. The collective experience and expertise of these two resourceful partners will undoubtedly bring about new and meaningful ways of enabling seniors to enjoy the best life possible." 
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"We are proud of the TanGo initiative, which will help improve living environments for seniors and keep them safer while walking. It will also provide training to organizations and people who work with seniors to help them move toward sustainable transportation alternatives such as public transit, carpooling, utility cycling or walking."
– Accès transports viables

"Our Aînés-nous à vous aider service reaches vulnerable or isolated seniors where other traditional approaches have failed. We are proud of the impact that this service has had on our community."
– Julie Mayrand, general manager, Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg

Associated Links

• Canada.ca/Seniors
• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors Program
• Le Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg
• Accès transports viables

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Backgrounder

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Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg

Le Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg (CAABC) is a non-profit organization that stemmed from the Maison du bénévolat de Charlesbourg, which began operations in July 1992.

The objectives of the CAABC are to:

• promote and oversee volunteerism in the community by providing training and recruitment and by referring volunteers to organizations that provide services to the public; and
• provide home support services to vulnerable client groups.

Accès transports viables

Accès transports viables is a non-profit organization bringing together commuters and socio‑economic organizations sharing a concern for the future of mobility in the metropolitan area of Québec.

The primary mission of Accès transports viables is to promote sustainable means of travel and to defend the rights of users of collective transportation (public transit, carpooling, carsharing) and active transportation (walking, cycling) in the Québec region.

Government of Canada commitments to seniors

The Government of Canada is working hard to help improve the lives of seniors on many fronts, such as:

• introducing a new Home Accessibility Tax Credit for seniors and persons with disabilities to help with the costs of ensuring their homes remain safe, secure and accessible;
• extending compassionate care benefits from 6 to up to a maximum of 26 weeks to eligible individuals who have to be temporarily away from work to provide care or support to a gravely ill family member at risk of dying within 26 weeks;
• improving the income security of seniors through such measures as increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for seniors who live alone by 10 percent, indexing Old Age Security (OAS) and GIS payments to a new senior's price index and cancelling the increase in the age of eligibility, from 65 to 67 years, for Old Age Security;
• improving affordable seniors' housing and facilities by prioritizing infrastructure investments, and building new housing units and refurbishing existing ones;
• developing a coordinated Poverty Reduction Strategy in Canada that will address senior poverty issues; and
• producing a new video series available on Canada.ca featuring dedicated caregivers who share their experiences looking after a family member or a friend living with dementia.

New Horizons for Seniors Program

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.

The objectives of the NHSP are:

• promoting volunteerism among seniors;
• engaging seniors in the community through mentoring of others;
• expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
• supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors; and
• providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.

NHSP funding supports pan-Canadian projects and community-based projects.

Since 2004, the NHSP has funded nearly 16,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, representing a total Government of Canada investment of $360 million.

Pan-Canadian projects

Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country and replicate interventions that have worked well in addressing seniors' issues.

Under the NHSP, funding for pan-Canadian projects can be up to three years in duration and with funding between $150,000 and $750,000. More than $24.3 million is being made available (more than $8.1 million per year over the next three years) for pan-Canadian projects focusing on reducing social isolation among seniors.

Community-based projects

The annual NHSP Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects closed on July 10, 2015. It invited organizations to apply for funding of up to $25,000 for projects that help empower seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and support communities by increasing their capacity to address local issues. Funding proposals are currently being assessed.

For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Contacts: Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]