Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Whitehorse, Yukon, June 29, 2012—The Government of Canada continues to combat elder abuse by funding projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, highlighted NHSP funding today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Elder abuse robs older people of their dignity and well-being at a time when they ought to feel secure,” said Minister Wong. “Our government is taking action to prevent the neglect and harm that seniors may experience.”

“Canadian seniors and elders in the North need our help in the fight against elder abuse,” said Mr. Leef. “By educating people on the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, we are empowering communities to stand up and stop the abuse.”

The Yukon Public Legal Education Association will receive $328,000 to develop and deliver presentations and information kits for seniors and elders in Yukon. These tools will help increase awareness and recognition of elder abuse and improve community response measures.

This is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totalling $14.6 million, announced on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.

The NHSP continues to support seniors through a new call for proposals for community-based projects, some of which also address elder abuse. The call was launched on May 8 and is closing today, June 29, 2012 (September 15, 2012 for Quebec). For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of Minister of State (Seniors), Alice Wong
613-790-0219

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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Backgrounder

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 for the benefit of others. Since its beginning, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing or identifying tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada to address elder abuse. This funding can enable community members to better recognize elder abuse in all its forms and to improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors. Eligible pan-Canadian grant or contribution projects must have a broad reach and impact. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year, for up to three years.

A call for proposals for pan-Canadian projects was launched on October 17, 2011, and closed on November 25, 2011. A total of 33 elder abuse awareness and prevention projects were approved and will receive over $14.6 million in funding.

Other actions taken by the Government of Canada to combat elder abuse

In 2008, the Government launched the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI), a multi-departmental, three-year initiative to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on available supports. This initiative successfully concluded on March 31, 2011.

Building on the momentum created by the FEAI, the Government continues to address elder abuse through awareness campaigns that aim to help Canadians recognize the signs of elder abuse and give them information on available resources and supports. For more information, please visit seniors.gc.ca.

In addition, the Government is addressing elder abuse through recently introduced legislation that would help ensure consistently tough penalties for offences involving the abuse of elderly persons.

Filed under: News, Seniors