Toronto, Ontario
May 21, 2014

Thank you for that kind introduction.

It is an honour to be here and share the same podium with such an impressive group of experts in the field of aging.

The Knowledge Exchange conference is an important venue for those of you in the field of gerontology to learn from one another. I am happy I could be here with you today, and I look forward to hearing about new developments.

In my opinion, yours is one of the most fascinating disciplines. Every day we discover something new that will help us on our journey toward better aging.

Just the other day, I read a rather startling prediction from the Office of the Chief Actuary. The Actuary said that five of every ten Canadians, who are now aged twenty, can expect to live until the age of ninety.

If the current trend continues—that is, if people continue to live longer and healthier lives—we will see entire new industries geared to aging.

Actually, it’s already starting to happen.

More and more products are designed to assist seniors, and businesses are thinking more about how to respond to the needs of older people.

Our government understands that to meet seniors’ evolving needs, we must continue to take action, so that senior Canadians can stay active, engaged and informed.

In 2011, when I took on the portfolio of Minister of State for Seniors, I felt I would be able to make a difference.

I knew that if I wanted to serve seniors well, I would have to do some work on re-shaping attitudes toward older people.

I also knew we had to find innovative ways to finance programs that help seniors continue to be active, engaged members of their communities.

We continue to fund programs like the New Horizons for Seniors Program, or NHSP, that help promote the well-being and social inclusion of seniors across Canada.

In fact, this winter in the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, we proposed an additional $5 million, which would bring the budget of the NHSP to $50 million annually.

I believe that in order to succeed with our programs, we have to take advantage of the knowledge and resources that already exist in the community.

I firmly believe that the guiding principles of social innovationcan help us resolve some of the more deeply-rooted issues facing seniors.

Issues like social isolation, loneliness, elder abuse and financial literacy.

Social innovation is about looking for new ideas to find solutions to social challenges and benefit people and their communities.

I’m excited that our government is playing a leading role in bringing together partners from both federal and private sectors to address issues like social isolation.

The Government of Canada is focused on making sure communities are well supported and is taking the necessary steps to help them to tackle local issues.

Social innovation is about mobilizing private capital for public good by creating opportunities for investors and community organizations to work together on mutually- beneficial projects.

This new direction complements existing programs such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program. We want to allow the opportunity for innovative approaches to be used to help as many Canadians as possible.

Social innovation recognizes that government programs and funds alone are not the solution to these pressing social issues.

Social innovation is about finding new, efficient ways of addressing social issues, such as promoting better participation of seniors in our communities.

It is also about putting all our talents to work, partnering and forging alliances between governments, the business community and community organisations for the common good.

It is about working as a dynamic team, pooling our resources and tapping into the wealth of collective experience and expertise that can really effect positive change for seniors across Canada.

To make room for social innovation initiatives within the NHSP, we are shifting some of its focus to “innovative projects” that will leverage resources to tackle some of the pressing issues faced by seniors today.

Leveraging requires partners outside the federal government to give a certain level of cash or in-kind resources, or both, to the project.

And it works.

It works because it increases sources for funding, including from the private sector, for social issues at the community level.

Last fall, we opened a Call for Proposals to identify Pilot Projects on social isolation and intergenerational learning.

We looked for projects that address isolation among seniors through better social support networks and resources, and community interventions.

Last week, I was pleased to announce that 20 of these New Horizons projects had been approved and would be starting in the months to come.

I’d like to share with you a few examples of the projects that have been approved to address social isolation, through this new innovative approach:

• the Dementia Alliance of Canada,which will provide peer support to seniors affected by dementia by matching them with volunteers highly trained to deal with this condition;
• the Municipality of Muskoka, which will identify problems seniors face when searching for different programs and services that are available to them; and
• The Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre in North Vancouver. The Centre will develop a pilot project to identify transportation problems and find solutions for seniors, especially those who are isolated.

All these projects have something in common. The organizations have all brought community partners to the table. By leveraging funds from partners, we are seeing a much greater capacity to make a real impact.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program has traditionally provided two types of project funding for projects led or inspired by seniors:

• Community-based funding, which provides grants of up to $25,000 for one-year projects; and
• Pan-Canadian projects with maximum funding of $750,000 for up to 3 years for projects that focus specifically on elder abuse.

I am proud to say that over 13,000 NHSP projects have been approved in hundreds of communities since 2006.

On May 13^th,I announced this year’s NHSP Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects. Organizations have until July 4, 2014 to apply for project funding.

I expect a Call for Proposals for pan-Canadian projects will be launched later this year, and one for innovative projects will come next winter.

NICE’s National Survey on the Mistreatment of Older Canadians, which was launched in June of 2012, is a great example of an NHSP pan-Canadian project.

NICE will develop the first survey of the mistreatment of adults 55 and over.

It is estimated that between four and ten percent of older adults in Canada experience some form of abuse and that only one in five incidents is ever reported.

This survey is really the first of its kind.

Gaining a more complete understanding of the dynamics of elder abuse in Canada will help healthcare providers and policy developers make more informed decisions.

As I said a moment ago, we need to continue to take action now, to keep our seniors active, engaged and informed.

Our government is working hard to improve the lives of seniors on many other fronts:

• In Budget 2014, we proposed the Canadian Employers for Caregivers plan, to help Canadians balance their work and caregiving responsibilities;
• We made it easier for caregivers to find the information they need in just one location when we created the new Information for Caregivers section on the seniors.gc.ca website.
• In April 2014, we tabled the Digital Privacy Act to amend the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Parliament, to better protect seniors from fraud and financial abuse; and
• this year, it is estimated that we will provide more than $80 billion through Canada’s public pension system.

So, as you can see, we are taking a holistic approach to help seniors have happier, healthier and more secure lives.

This is a good investment that our government and all Canadians can be proud of.

Thank you for inviting me, and I look forward to hearing from the extraordinary lineup of speakers and presenters here today.

May 22, 2014 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

Thanks to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), seniors who are newcomers to Canada in the Vancouver area will have the opportunity to learn to recognize the various forms of abuse and where to get help if they need it, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) announced today.

The Joyce Station Area Planning Association is receiving more than $22,500 in NHSP community-based funding for its Knock Knock! Who’s There? and Other Questions Seniors Have About Their Safety project.

Through workshops, seniors will have the opportunity to participate in activities involving community groups and organizations. Seniors will learn about elder abuse prevention strategies and about the positive role played by the Vancouver Police Department in helping them to reduce their risk of being mistreated and to seek assistance if needed.

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 new programs and activities for seniors.

Quick Facts

• On May 13, 2014, Minister Wong launched the 2014–2015 NHSP Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects. Through this call for proposals, which will close on July 4, 2014, organizations may receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
• NHSP-funded projects help offset the challenges of our aging demographics, which is important since the number of seniors in Canada is expected to double in the next 20 years.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support additional projects that benefit seniors.

Quotes

“Our government is proud to work with organizations like the Joyce Station Area Planning Association in Vancouver so that seniors can learn to recognize the signs of abuse and how they can prevent it from happening to them. By knowing who they can reach out to within their community, newly immigrated seniors can lead safer lives.”

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

“Our association is pleased to have received this Government of Canada NSHP grant for our Knock Knock! Who’s There? and other Questions Seniors Have About Their Safety project. We’re connecting newly arrived seniors with community organizations and giving them an opportunity to learn about the Canadian justice system. With help from the Vancouver Police Department and our team of over 200 volunteers, we can reduce senior victimization!”

– Christina Taulu, Executive Director for the Joyce Station Area Planning Association.

Associated Link

• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors
• Economic Action Plan

– 30 –

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 in 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 community-based projects, pan-Canadian projects and pilot projects that focus on issues such as social isolation and intergenerational learning.

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. These projects help community members recognize elder abuse in all its forms and 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. These projects may be eligible to receive up to $250,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Pilot project funding provides support to help address seniors’ isolation by establishing better social support networks and resources and initiating community interventions. It also supports intergenerational learning projects that help seniors develop new interests and share their knowledge and experience with others. These pilot projects are eligible to receive up to $100,000 in federal funding over a maximum of 24 months, which will be matched with funding from other sources.

For more information on the NHSP, visit esdc.gc.ca/seniors.

New Horizons for Seniors Program promotes the well-being and social inclusion of seniors

May 16, 2014 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development

Older Canadians across the country will soon have new opportunities to address social isolation thanks to the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), today announced the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors).

Twenty organizations across Canada will receive a total of $1.4 million in NHSP funding for their innovative projects addressing the social isolation of seniors and providing opportunities for intergenerational learning between older Canadians and youth.

Among these organizations, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House is receiving more than $57,000 through the NHSP pilot project to test brain fitness software and activities aimed at helping seniors.

Older Canadians, including those with declining mental health and cognitive impairments such as memory problems, will benefit from this program. A brain wellness manual will be developed in consultation with seniors, academics and community professionals. Youth and seniors will work together to deliver the training program to help older Canadians increase their social networks and become more engaged in their communities.

Quick facts

• The NHSP 2013–2014 Call for Proposals for Pilot Projects was launched on October 3, 2013, and closed on November 13, 2013.
• Each of the approved 20 innovative pilot projects will receive between $39,872 and $100,000 of federal funding and have a maximum duration of 24 months. This funding will be matched with funding from sources other than the federal government.
• On May 12, 2014, the NHSP Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects was launched. The call will close on July 4, 2014.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support additional projects that benefit seniors.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

Quotes

” Community building takes a lot of hard work, especially to reach seniors, many of whom are at risk of becoming lonely and isolated. Our government is proud to work with organizations like Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House that find innovative solutions to address seniors’ issues, particularly social isolation.”

– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)” We are pleased to have received a grant from the Government of Canada’s NHSP to fund our project. Neighbourhood houses are central to working with vulnerable seniors, and through our work we are able to see emerging needs. Cities for Seniors aims to form community and university partnerships to explore tools that will support seniors with mild cognitive impairment and ensure the program is fully implemented in the neighbourhood after the initial development phase.”

– Jocelyne Hamel, Executive Director, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House

Associated links

• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors
• Economic Action Plan

May 13, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Employment and Social Development

The Government of Canada is seeking applications for projects that will help Canadian seniors use their leadership abilities, skills and experience to continue to make a difference in their communities through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

NHSP community-based projects help empower seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and support communities by increasing their capacity to address local issues.

The call for proposals will close on Friday, July 4, 2014.

Quick facts

• Organizations may receive up to $25,000 in grant funding. Projects must address one or more of the program’s five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance.
• 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.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support additional projects that benefit seniors.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

Quote

“Our Government recognizes that seniors have helped build our country and continue to contribute their skills and experiences to communities and workplaces across Canada. Through initiatives such as the NHSP, we are empowering seniors by supporting projects that help improve their well-being and maintain a good quality of life.”

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

Associated links

• New Horizons for Seniors Program
• Economic Action Plan
• Seniors.gc.ca

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 in 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 community-based projects, pan-Canadian projects and pilot projects that focus on issues like social isolation and intergenerational learning.

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. These projects help community members to 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; they may be eligible to receive up to $250,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Pilot project funding provides support to help address seniors’ isolation by establishing better social support networks and resources and initiating community interventions. It also identifies intergenerational learning projects that help seniors develop new interests and share their knowledge and experience with others. These pilot projects are eligible to receive up to $100,000 of federal funding over a maximum of 24 months, which will be matched with funding from other sources. The first call for proposals for pilot projects was launched on October 3, 2013 and closed on November 13, 2013.

For more information on the NHSP, visit esdc.gc.ca/seniors.

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

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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 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.