Federal Programs Help Seniors

March 28, 2008

Our Conservative government, like no other before it, recognizes the contributions senior citizens have made to this country. We are proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country.

One way we have supported seniors is through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. The program funds community projects that help seniors share their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others, while reducing their social isolation.  The total budget for the NHSP is $35 million per year.

In Edmonton East, two organizations have just received grants through the NHSP. The Alberta Association for the Deaf is receiving $25,000 to enhance the quality of life for Edmonton deaf seniors, while the Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton receives $24,950 for “This Full House,” a pilot program to assist elderly compulsive hoarders.

The federal government is also acting to address the needs of Canada’s seniors by introducing a series of important measures, including:

• 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.
• providing more than $1 billion in tax relief to Canadian seniors and pensioners in Budget 2007;
• enabling 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.
  

I think the government is doing a great job for seniors. What do you think?