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Government of Canada highlights ongoing commitment to seniors at the 10th annual NICE Knowledge Exchange Conference
May 28, 2015– Toronto, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today highlighted the Government of Canada’s work to tackle issues facing seniors in Canada at the 10th annual NICE Knowledge Exchange Conference. This conference, hosted by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE), provides an important opportunity for members of the community, clinicians, academics, students and business leaders to come together to exchange ideas, present insights and innovations, and promote concrete solutions to help address seniors’ issues.
In her remarks, Minister Wong highlighted the 2015-2016 New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) Call for Proposals (CFP) for Pan-Canadian projects, which will be launched on May 29, 2015. Through this CFP, organizations will be invited to apply for funding for projects that will help prevent and reduce social isolation among seniors using collaborative, partnership-based approaches and with an emphasis on results.
The annual CFP for community-based projects under the NHSP will be launched on the same day.
Minister Wong also spoke of a number of programs and activities that help support seniors and address the issue of social isolation. These include the publishing of a National Seniors Council’s report on social isolation and the Council’s ongoing work that will include a focus on examining ways to encourage local communities to reach out to socially isolated seniors. The social isolation of seniors is also one of the priorities to be examined this year by the Forum of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors.
Minister Wong also discussed how the Government is providing over $2.8 billion in annual tax relief to seniors and pensioners, implementing pension income splitting and 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. These changes to income security programs have given older Canadians more choice and flexibility in regard to life, work and retirement.
To help families prosper, the Government is also enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), introducing the Family Tax Cut and making improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. The UCCB would increase to up to $1,920 per year for children under the age of 6, and parents would receive a benefit of up to $720 per year for each child aged 6 through 17. The proposed enhancements to the UCCB would provide $160 per month for each child under the age of 6 and $60 per month for each child aged 6 through 17.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ health, well-being and contributions by encouraging them to stay active, engaged and informed.
- In September, the Government of Canada released the Government of Canada Action for Seniors report, a comprehensive information resource highlighting federal programs and services, which can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers at Canada.ca/Seniors.
- Today, 1 in 7 Canadians is aged 65 or over. By 2036, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be a senior.
Quote
“I would like to congratulate the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly on their 10th Annual Knowledge Exchange Conference and thank them for inviting me to participate again this year. It is opportunities like these, where such an impressive group of experts in the field of aging come together, that allow us to collaborate, share our knowledge and work together to ensure Canadian seniors are supported and stay active, engaged and informed.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
Associated Links
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum