Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

April 23, 2014 – Richmond, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Government of Canada is helping Canadians with disabilities develop the skills and experience they need to find jobs, today announced the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), on behalf of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development.

The Richmond Centre for Disability is receiving more than $176,000 to help 70 Canadians with disabilities in Richmond overcome barriers to employment.

This includes providing employment services and interventions tailored to meet their needs that will help them to participate in the labour market to the best of their ability, while giving employers better access to a pool of talented employees.

The Government of Canada is committed to improving opportunities for Canadians with disabilities as part of its ongoing efforts to create a more productive workforce and a stronger economy.

Quick Facts

• Since 2006, the Government of Canada has helped over 34,600 Canadians with disabilities across Canada develop the skills and experience they need to find jobs.
• Recently, Minister Kenney announced that the governments of Canada and British Columbia have signed a renewed Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities that will better meet the employment needs of Canadian businesses and improve the employment prospects for Canadians with disabilities, helping residents in British Columbia get skills and training to find jobs.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposed an investment of $15 million over three years to the Ready, Willing & Able initiative of the Canadian Association for Community Living to connect Canadians with developmental disabilities with jobs. It is also investing $11.4 million over four years to support the Sinneave Family Foundation and Autism Speaks Canada to expand vocational training programs for Canadians with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Quotes

“Canadians with disabilities have a tremendous amount to offer employers, but they remain under-represented in our workforce. To support Canada’s long-term prosperity, we must ensure that everyone who wants to work has the opportunity to do so. Canadians with disabilities face particular challenges entering the job market, and that’s why partnerships with organizations like the Richmond Center for Disability are so important.”

– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

“The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities program objectives are in line with the Richmond Centre for Disability’s mission to empower people with disabilities to participate in the community to the level of their desires and abilities. It is my firm conviction that employment is the true ticket to inclusion and a way to overcome economic marginalization for people with disabilities.”

– Louise Gaudry, Career Development Facilitator of the Resources for Career Development Project

Associated Link

• Funding: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
• Economic Action Plan 2013: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

– 30 –

Contacts

Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter

Backgrounder

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities helps Canadians with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and keep employment or become self-employed.

Economic Action Plan 2013 announced a $10 million increase in ongoing funding, to $40 million annually, for the Opportunities Fund. Employers and community organizations will also be involved in designing and delivering the project.

In addition, through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada is:

• providing $15 million over three years to the Ready, Willing & Able initiative of the Canadian Association for Community Living to help connect Canadians with developmental disabilities with jobs; and
• $11.4 million over four years to support the expansion of vocational training programs for Canadians with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

To further help Canadians with disabilities in the workforce, the Government:

• introduced a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities with an investment of $222 million per year to better meet the employment needs of Canadian businesses and improve the employment prospects for people with disabilities;
• extended the Enabling Accessibility Fund on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to improve accessibility in facilities across Canada, including workplaces; and
• provided funding of $7 million per year for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, some of which will support research related to the labour market participation of people with disabilities.

Other measures to connect Canadians with available jobs and equip them with the skills and training they need include the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups, including people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth.

April 23, 2014 – Richmond, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today that seniors in Richmond will be receiving support from the Government for a community gardening project.

The Sharing Farm’s Seniors Greenhouse Club is receiving more than $19,000 in federal funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This program supports projects led or inspired by seniors who want to make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities.

Through the project, The Sharing Farm will upgrade its collection of garden tools and modify greenhouse shelving to facilitate access for seniors, making it possible for senior volunteers with varying physical abilities to become involved in the club. Seniors will also learn to grow fruit and vegetables that will be donated to local food banks at harvest time. This project is expected to benefit 5,000 seniors.

Quick facts

• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support projects that enable seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others. These projects also help communities increase their capacity to support seniors at a local level.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. NHSP funding is targeted to both pan-Canadian and community-based projects.
• In 2014, over 1,770 NHSP community-based projects across Canada were approved through the 2013–2014 call for proposals and received more than $33.4 million in funding.

Quotes

“This project exemplifies a win-win situation for seniors and the Richmond community. Seniors will gain horticultural knowledge, which will enable them to donate the proceeds from their gardens to local food banks at harvest time. We are proud to work with organizations like The Sharing Farm so that seniors can remain active and productive members of their community.”

– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)“The Sharing Farm Society is pleased to have received a grant from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program to fund our Freshly Aged – Seniors Greenhouse Volunteer program. We’re connecting seniors with other seniors and creating a community around an inter-generational sharing of knowledge and experiences. Along with growing food for families in need, we’ll be growing a new year-round crop of great volunteers!”

– James Gates, Executive Director for The Sharing Farm Society

Additional links

• New Horizons for Seniors Program

• Economic Action Plan 2014

Contacts

Earl Maynard
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
613-716-5422

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Follow us on Twitter

Backgrounder

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.

NHSP funding is targeted to both community-based and pan-Canadian projects.

Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program’s five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. These projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding.

Pan-Canadian projects help seniors protect themselves from elder abuse, including financial abuse and fraud. These projects enable community members to better recognize elder abuse in all its forms and to improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors. Projects focus on developing tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or the entire country and may be eligible to receive up to $250,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Over 1,770 NHSP community-based projects were approved through the 2013–2014 call for proposals, for a total of more than $33.4 million in funding.

Funding Breakdown

The next NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects is expected to be launched in the spring of 2014. For more information on the NHSP, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

April 15, 2014, Vancouver, British Columbia, Public Safety Canada

Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), met with victims of crime stakeholders to discuss recently announced legislation to create a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights that would transform the criminal justice system by creating, at the federal level, clear rights for victims of crime.

Quick Facts

• The Victims Bill of Rights Act would create the following statutory rights for victims of crime:

Right to information: Victims would have the right to general information about the criminal justice system and available victim services and programs, and specific information about the progress of the case, including information relating to the investigation, prosecution, sentencing and conditional release of the person who harmed them.

Right to protection: Victims would have the right to have their security and privacy considered at all stages of the criminal justice process, to have reasonable and necessary measures to protect them from intimidation and retaliation, and to request their identity be protected from public disclosure.

Right to participation: Victims would have a right to convey their views about decisions to be made by criminal justice professionals and have them considered at various stages of the criminal justice process, and to present a victim impact statement.

Right to restitution: Victims would have the right to have the court consider making a restitution order for all offences for which there are easy-to-calculate financial losses.

• By introducing legislation to create a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, the Federal Government is delivering on a commitment from the 2013 Speech from the Throne that was reinforced in Budget 2014. The legislation is also in line with the Government’s Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, which focuses on holding violent offenders accountable, enhancing the rights of victims, and increasing the efficiency of our criminal justice system.
• The National Office for Victims (NOV) at Public Safety Canada is a central resource that offers information and referrals to victims of crime. NOV also provides input into federal policy and legislative initiatives, develops and distributes information products for victims and members of the criminal justice system, and supports the Correctional Service of Canada and the Parole Board of Canada in delivering services to victims of crime.

Quotes

“The Victims Bill of Rights Act, recently introduced by our Government, will provide victims with legislated rights in the criminal justice system – this includes rights to information, protection, participation, and restitution. We have taken action to introduce reforms giving victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system, and we will continue to ensure victims receive the courtesy, compassion and respect that they so rightfully deserve.”
– Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

“By introducing the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, our Government has shown leadership in standing up for victims of crime. This is especially important for those most vulnerable in society, such as seniors, who are often subject to different forms of elder abuse. The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights gives seniors the tools to be treated with dignity and respect by the legal system they depend on to defend them.”
– Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

Related Products

• Backgrounder: Overview of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights
• Backgrounder: Right to information
• Backgrounder: Right to protection
• Backgrounder: Right to participation
• Backgrounder: Right to restitution
• Backgrounder: Victim Surcharge

Associated Links

• National Victims of Crime Awareness Week
• Public Safety Canada – National Office for Victims
• News release: Victims Week Federal Symposium
• News release: Introduction of Canadian Victims Bill of Rights

April 9, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Digital Privacy Act, introduced yesterday in Parliament, will help to protect seniors from fraud and financial abuse, announced the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors).

The Government tabled a new bill in Parliament that will include measures to address rising concerns about financial abuse of seniors. The new legislation will allow banks and other organizations, to notify officials or a client’s next of kin if they suspect that an elderly client is the victim of financial abuse.

Currently, financial institutions must obtain an elderly client’s consent before disclosing information to prevent or investigate abuse, for example where a joint account holder may be financially abusing a senior. Under the new legislation, the financial institution will be allowed to make a report if there is reason to believe that fraud or financial abuse may be taking place. This will make it possible to notify authorities and help protect seniors from financial abuse.

Officials at Industry Canada, with the support of Employment and Social Development Canada, will work together with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada to provide guidance to banks and other affected organizations about factors to be considered in using their discretion in this area and about related best practices.

The Government is actively addressing elder abuse through awareness campaigns, the New Horizons for Seniors Program, and the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act, which came into force in January 2013.

Quick Facts

– The Digital Privacy Act amends the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, which sets the rules private sector organizations must follow when collecting, using or disclosing personal information in the course of commercial activity.
– The Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act helps ensure consistently tough penalties for those who take advantage of elderly Canadians.
– Some sources suggest that between 4 and 10 percent of older adults in Canada experience some form of abuse. It is also estimated that only one in five incidents of abuse is reported.

Quote

“Elder abuse is an appalling crime and our government is committed to protecting seniors from all forms of abuse. I fully support the proposed changes to strengthen Canada’s private sector privacy law and provide added protection for seniors against financial abuse.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

April 5, 2014­ Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today issued the following statement to mark National Caregiver Day, which takes place April 5, 2014:

There are currently 6.1 million employed Canadians who are providing informal caregiving to a family member or friend due to chronic or long-term illness, disability or aging. The number of caregivers will continue to grow given our aging population.

On National Caregiver Day, please join me in recognizing all caregivers, who are dedicated in providing quality care, support and compassion to Canadians, particularly seniors and older Canadians.

In particular, the Government of Canada understands the sacrifices many Canadians make to care for their family members. We are already helping Canadians who are providing care to loved ones through the Family Caregivers Tax Credit, Employment Insurance Special Benefits for those caring for a dying relative or a critically ill child and a new Information for Caregivers portal on the seniors.gc.ca website.

Economic Action Plan 2014 further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to caregiving by announcing plans to launch a Canadian Employers for Caregivers Plan to better support employees balancing both work and caregiving responsibilities.

Please join me today in thanking all caregivers across our country for their ongoing efforts, compassion and devotion in assuring quality care for our loved ones.

Thank you.

March 22, 2014 – Richmond, British Columbia – Department of Canadian Heritage

On behalf of Minister of State (Sport) Bal Gosal,Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the Government of Canada will provide the Canadian Fencing Federation with $50,000 through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program. Funds will support the organization’s hosting of the 2014 Vancouver Men’s Epee Grand Prix, which will be held in Richmond on March 22 and 23, 2014.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada contributed $422,500 to the Canadian Fencing Federation in 2013–2014 through Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program
• In 2013–2014, almost $225,000 was provided through the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) to support 22 fencing athletes with living, training, tuition and special needs expenses.
•  The Canadian Fencing Federation is a non-profit, amateur sports association and the national governing body of fencing. It includes ten provincial fencing associations, which in turn represent over two hundred local clubs from coast to coast. Its mandate is to establish, develop and support fencing in Canada and to represent Canada on the international scene.

Quotes

“We are pleased to support the Canadian Fencing Federation’s hosting of the 2014 Vancouver Men’s Epee Grand Prix, which provides world-class competition for our elite athletes, in addition to promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to the local community.”

“We are pleased to support the Canadian Fencing Federation’s hosting of the 2014 Vancouver Men’s Epee Grand Prix, which provides world-class competition for our elite athletes, in addition to promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to the local community

– Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

“Our Government is committed to ensuring Canadian athletes are provided with the support needed to reach the podium at every opportunity. I am thrilled to see this event taking place in Richmond, and I wish great success to all athletes at the Grand Prix.”

– Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

“The Canadian Fencing Federation and the Vancouver Grand Prix Organizing Committee are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the Government of Canada. Hosting fencing events such as one of only three yearly Men’s Epee Grands Prix in the world is a huge honour and places Canada at the front of the world stage. These challenging World Class events show their foresight in recognizing the tremendous advantages that hosting international events brings to our country, far beyond the valuable sport tourism dollars. ”

– Brad Goldie, President, Canadian Fencing Federation

Associated Links

Sport Canada

Fencing Canada

2014 Vancouver Men’s Epee Grand Prix

The New Horizons for Seniors Program will help local organizations offer services benefiting seniors across Canada

March 19, 2014 – North Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

Seniors across Canada will soon have new opportunities to mentor younger generations, help raise awareness of elder abuse and take part in community activities, Minister of State (Seniors) Alice Wong announced today. Minister Wong joined the Parkgate Community Services Society, a Vancouver-based not-for-profit organization, to highlight the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) now supporting hundreds of community-run programs across the country.

The Government of Canada is providing more than $33.4 million in funding for over 1 770 community-based projects across Canada. These projects, selected from the NHSP’s 2013–2014 call for proposals, will lead to a variety of new programs and activities for seniors.

Quick Facts

• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support projects that enable seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others. These projects also help communities increase their capacity to support seniors at a local level.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13 000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
• NHSP-funded projects help offset the challenges of our aging demographics, which is important since the number of seniors in Canada is expected double in the next 20 years. For example, the Peel Elder Abuse Support Program produced a short film—Our Voices, Our Lives—to raise awareness of elder abuse.
• My Parkgate Break will provide seniors in the North Vancouver area with an opportunity to deliver art, fitness, recreation and social programs to seniors living with dementia.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 keeps Canada on the path back to balance in 2015, benefiting all Canadians.

Quotes

“Our government recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience that seniors contribute to our society and the economy. Through initiatives such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are helping to ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and continue as active, participating members of their communities.”

– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

“Parkgate Community Services Society (PCSS) received a grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program to fund a pilot project, My Parkgate Break, for a new innovative volunteer supported program for isolated seniors with early or moderate dementia. This program was conceived, planned and driven by the members of the Lionsview’s Seymour Seniors Action Table and staff from PCSS. This program will provide a safe, stimulating and life-enhancing place for participants, an opportunity to increase community capacity to enable seniors to live successfully within their community and much-needed respite for caregivers.”

– Lisa Reinders, Executive Director, Parkgate Community Services Society

Associated Links

• New Horizons for Seniors Program
• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors
• Economic Action Plan 2014

Contacts

Earl Maynard
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
613-716-5422

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter

Backgrounder

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. Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13 000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

NHSP funding is targeted to both community-based and pan-Canadian projects.

Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program’s five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. These projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding.

Pan-Canadian projects provide support to help seniors protect themselves from elder abuse, including financial abuse and fraud abuse. These projects 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. Projects focus on developing tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada and may be eligible to receive up to $250,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Over 1 770 NHSP community-based projects were approved through the 2013–2014 call for proposals, for a total of more than $33.4 million in funding.

Funding Breakdown

The next NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects is anticipated to be launched in the spring of 2014. For more information on the NHSP, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

Canadians won’t pay GST/HST on acupuncturists’ and naturopathic doctors’ professional services

March 18, 2014 – Burnaby, British Columbia – Department of Finance

Minister of State for Seniors and Richmond MP Alice Wong, along with Vancouver South MP Wai Young, on behalf of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, today highlighted the Harper Government’s support for families through new health-related tax relief.

They were joined by John Lee, Task Chair of the Canadian Coalition of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Associations.

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes a number of measures to reduce the tax burden on Canadians, including health-related tax relief such as an exemption from the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) on acupuncturists’ and naturopathic doctors’ professional services. Changes to the tax treatment of these services and other GST/HST health-related measures announced in Economic Action Plan 2014 became effective on February 12, 2014.

This tax relief builds on the Harper Government’s record of keeping taxes low for Canadians and their families.

Quick Facts

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes measures that will expand health-related tax relief by:

– Exempting acupuncturists’ and naturopathic doctors’ professional services from the GST/HST.
– Expanding the list of eligible expenses under the Medical Expense Tax Credit to include costs associated with service animals specially trained to assist individuals with severe diabetes, such as diabetes alert dogs.
– Providing further tax recognition for costs associated with eligible specially designed medical therapies and training by:
   – Expanding the current GST/HST exemption for training that is specially designed to help individuals cope with a disorder or disability to also exempt services of designing such training, such as developing a training plan.
   – Including amounts paid for the design of an individualized therapy plan as an eligible expense for income tax purposes under the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
– Adding eyewear specially designed to electronically enhance the vision of individuals with vision impairment that is supplied on the order of a physician or other specified health professional to the list of GST/HST-free (zero-rated) medical and assistive devices.

Quotes

“Whether it’s the introduction of the Family Caregiver Tax Credit and the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the ongoing expansion of eligible expenses under the Medical Expense Tax Credit, or the many other actions taken by our Government since 2006, the Government is proud of its record of keeping taxes low through health-related tax relief that better reflects the health care needs of Canadians. The tax relief highlighted today, including the exemption of acupuncturists’ and naturopathic doctors’ professional services from the GST/HST, continues our commitment to support Canadians and their families.”

– Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors and MP for Richmond

“I am very pleased to be part of a government that recognizes acupuncture as an important health service that should be recognized with a GST exemption. This should lower costs for Canadians seeking these services.”

– Wai Young, MP for Vancouver South

“We welcome the new measure to add acupuncture services to the list of important health services that are exempt from the GST. This will help alleviate the burden for patients seeking acupuncture treatment. As the Task Chair of the Canadian Coalition of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Associations, I thank the federal government for recognizing this.”

– John Lee, Task Chair, Canadian Coalition of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Associations

Come and visit Alice Wong on Friday, March 14th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Enjoy refreshments, learn about the MP office and meet your Member of Parliament.

Location: Unit 360, 5951 No. 3 Road (London Plaza), Richmond, BC