Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

May 20, 2015– Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

The governments of Canada and British Columbia will provide over $582,000 in Canada Job Grant funding to Seaspan Shipyards to help 260 workers gain shipbuilding skills. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development; along with the Honourable Shirley Bond, British Columbia Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour; and Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver.

This announcement brings the total number of workers being trained in British Columbia up to 6,800, thanks to funding provided through the Canada Job Grant. To date, over 1,280 employers have been approved for funding to train employees in British Columbia.

The announcement took place at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards. Seaspan, which employs over 2,000 people, is a diverse Canadian industrial marine enterprise primarily involved in coastal and deep sea transportation and bunkering, while offering the West Coast’s leading ship repair and shipbuilding services. As a result of Canada Job Grant funding, Seaspan Shipyards employees will benefit from state-of-the-art e-learning tools fundamental to the shipyard’s current and future training requirements under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, with a particular focus on machine-specific operations, docking processes, metal fabrication, steel forming, paint processes and rigging.

The Canada Job Grant is an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills and training they need to fill available jobs. By requiring employers to invest in training costs, the Canada Job Grant will result in skills training that leads to guaranteed jobs.

Under the Canada Job Grant in British Columbia, the Government of Canada provides two-thirds of total eligible training costs, up to $10,000, for expenses such as tuition, textbooks and student fees, and the British Columbia Government delivers the program. Employers are required to contribute the remaining one-third of these training costs, while small businesses have additional flexibility to make an in-kind contribution towards their share of the cost through wages paid to the training participant.

Quick Facts

• Seaspan will receive $582,946 to train 260 employees. The company will invest an additional $291,473 in this training.
• According to British Columbia’s Labour Market Outlook, by 2022, British Columbia is expecting one million job openings created by retirements and a growing economy.
• Of those million anticipated jobs, more than 78 percent will require some form of post-secondary education; including 44 percent which will need a college education or apprenticeship training.
• By 2017–18, over $38 million per year will be available for the Canada Job Grant in British Columbia.

Quotes

“The Canada Job Grant is taking skills training choices out of the hands of government and putting them where they belong: in the hands of employers and Canadians who want to work. By having employers directly involved in training decisions, the Canada Job Grant will lead to guaranteed jobs and will help businesses grow and succeed—and that is good news for the Canadian economy.”

– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development

“A skilled workforce is fundamental to a strong economy. By helping employers invest in their workers, we are providing new and better job opportunities for people in Vancouver. Seaspan is a great example of how the Canada Job Grant is helping local workers get the skills and training they need to fill those jobs.”

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

“Over the next decade, there will be more than one million job openings in B.C. driven by retirements and economic growth, 44 percent of which are expected to be in trades or technical occupations. We are taking steps now to meet the needs of a rapidly changing labour market and the Canada–B.C. Job Grant is a key program that will provide training for British Columbians so they can find their fit in our diverse, strong and growing economy.”

– The Honourable Shirley Bond, British Columbia Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour

“Today’s announcement reaffirms Seaspan’s commitment to deliver on both of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy’s key objectives: to build new vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy; and to rebuild Canada’s shipbuilding and marine industrial sector. People with the right skills are critical to achieving both objectives, and the Canada Job Grant enables us to strengthen our knowledge, technical capability and production capacity to deliver ships made in Canada by Canadians.”

– Tony Matergio, Vice President and General Manager, Vancouver Shipyards

Associated Links

Canada Job Grant

Canada Job Grant (British Columbia)

May 8, 2015– Calgary, Alberta – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), highlighted the Government of Canada’s work to tackle issues facing seniors in Canada in a speech delivered at the Korean Canadian Seniors Conference. In her remarks, Minister Wong highlighted the re-aligning of a number of programs and activities to address the issue of social isolation of seniors—a growing issue that can have substantial impact on seniors’ lives.

A call for proposals (CFP) for pan-Canadian projects funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) will be launched on May 29, 2015. Using collaborative partnership approaches and with an emphasis on results, pan-Canadian projects funded through this call will be focusing on the reduction and prevention of social isolation of seniors.

The annual CFP for community-based projects under the NHSP will be launched on the same day.

Other activities include the recent report published by the National Seniors Council, and their ongoing work which includes 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 the 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 regards 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.

Quotes

“Social isolation affects seniors’ economic, social, physical and mental well-being. It is an issue that is both pervasive and difficult to resolve. But it is also preventable. I am confident we can address the isolation of seniors through social innovation. Social innovation succeeds by combining resources from governments, businesses, community organizations and academics to generate new ideas and tools that address social problems in new ways.”

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

“Seniors from all over Canada are participating in the Korean Canadian Seniors Conference to discuss the well-being of Korean Canadian seniors, their integration into Canadian society, and how they can help themselves and the next generation of Korean Canadians. We would like to thank Minister Wong for joining us today to speak about some of the issues facing seniors in Canada, like social isolation, and some of the ways these issues are being addressed.”

– Joe Cho, Coordinator/Chair of the Korean Canadian Seniors Conference

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Seniors

National Seniors Council

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum

Tax Measures

Backgrounder on new measures: Helping Families Prosper

Backgrounder

The National Seniors Council

The National Seniors Council (NSC) advises on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors, including the opportunities and challenges arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse seniors population.

• The Council reports to the Minister of Employment and Social Development and the Minister of Health. The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Council.

• NSC members include seniors, representatives of organizations that serve seniors and/or experts on seniors and aging.

The Government of Canada established the NSC in 2007 to provide advice on the overall well-being of seniors, both now and in the future.

For more information, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

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 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 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. Over 1,850 projects were approved through the NHSP 2014–2015 call for proposals for community-based projects. The next such call will be launched on May 29, 2015.

Pan-Canadian Projects

Using collaborative partnership approaches and with an emphasis on results, pan-Canadian projects funded through the 2015–2016 call for proposals to be launched May 29, 2015, will be focusing on the reduction and prevention of social isolation of seniors. Successful projects will be up to three years in duration and valued up to $750,000.

Pilot Projects

Pilot project funding provides support to help address seniors’ isolation by establishing better social support networks and resources and initiating community intervention. It also supports intergenerational learning projects that help seniors develop new interests and share their knowledge and experience with others. In 2014, these pilot projects began to address social isolation and are receiving up to $100,000 in federal funding over a maximum of 24 months; 50 percent of which is being matched with funding from other sources.

For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

Forum of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors

The Forum of Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors was established in 1992 by F/P/T governments to advance issues of common concern. The forum focuses on concrete, collaborative projects and actions that will have an impact on the lives of seniors. The Ministers meet regularly to discuss issues of importance to seniors and to share information on seniors’ well-being from their respective jurisdictions.

For more information on the Forum, visit http://www.seniors.gc.ca/eng/working/fptf/index.shtml.

On May 6, 2015, Alice Wong spoke in the House of Commons during Question Period on the topic of Seniors. The following is a transcript:

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, today many parliamentarians are fasting to raise awareness about hunger in Canada as part of Food Banks Canada’s Every Plate Full campaign.
Seven per cent of seniors in Canada depend on food banks. Even though they receive pension benefits, they just do not have enough to make ends meet. No one, and certainly no senior, should ever go hungry.
Why are the Conservatives refusing to implement a national seniors strategy that would allow our seniors to retire in dignity?

Hon. Alice Wong (Minister of State (Seniors), CPC):
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to seniors poverty, our government has a record we can be proud of.
Canada has one of the lowest seniors poverty rates in the world, thanks in part to our actions, which include removing hundreds of thousands of seniors from the tax rolls completely, making significant investments in affordable housing for low-income seniors, and introducing the largest GIS increase in a quarter century.
Canadians know that they can count on our government to deliver for seniors.

April 8, 2015 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today that seniors in East Vancouver will soon have new opportunities to keep active, engaged and informed. The Government of Canada has approved 13 New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) community-based projects in East Vancouver, for a total of more than $226,000 in funding. These projects, approved through the NHSP’s 2014–2015 Call for Proposals, will make it possible for seniors to play a major role in a wide range of local programs and activities.

Minister Wong made this announcement today at Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, which is receiving $25,000 in NHSP funding for its Food Culture Share Project. The project aims to offer workshops and classes that will engage and educate senior participants from different cultural backgrounds about nutrition and sustainable food practices.

Other East Vancouver projects being funded focus on educational, recreational and outreach activities that promote seniors leadership and participation, as well as help provide guidance and support to community members from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Quick Facts

• Under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), up to $25,000 in grant funding can be provided to eligible organizations for community-based projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 increased funding for the NHSP by $5 million per year, for a total of $50 million provided to this program annually.
• Since 2006, $2.8 billion in annual tax relief has been provided to seniors and pensioners.
• The Government of Canada launched the Government of Canada Action for Seniors report in September 2014. The report is a new information resource highlighting federal programs and services that can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers. It was created in collaboration with more than 22 federal departments and agencies. The report can be found on Canada.ca/Seniors.

Quotes

“I am proud of our Government’s work to support seniors, and I am proud to work with organizations in East Vancouver that strive to enrich the lives of seniors through the meaningful projects they undertake with passion and resolve.”

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

“Kiwassa Neighbourhood House and the seniors we serve are especially grateful and honoured for the funding that we have been awarded through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program grant. The community-based, multicultural programming offered at Kiwassa brings together elders from all over the world to learn, interact and participate in leadership, life skills, health promotion and education programs and activities. Seniors involved in New Horizons projects are providing significant knowledge, experience and leadership, and their contributions deeply enhance the fabric of our local communities.”

– Nancy McRitchie, Executive Director, Kiwassa Neighbourhood House

Associated Links

• New Horizons for Seniors Program
• Canada.ca/Seniors
• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors
• Economic Action Plan 2014

April 7, 2015 – Gatineau, Quebec – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), issued the following statement in recognition of Caregiver Day celebrations:

Unpaid caregivers are an essential part of our communities, devoting considerable time, energy and money to help their loved ones with a variety of day-to-day tasks.

I would like to recognize all caregivers for their dedication in providing quality care, support and compassion to Canadians, particularly older Canadians and seniors.

The Government of Canada recognizes the important role of unpaid caregivers who are working while taking care of a family member or friend. Budget 2011 introduced the Family Caregiver Tax Credit, and the Government of Canada offers unpaid family caregivers a variety of supports. These include Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits, targeted measures for specific populations such as veterans and military forces, and funding for research and community-based initiatives. Our Government also launched the Canadian Employers for Caregivers Plan to engage with employers to find ways to better support individuals balancing work and care responsibilities.

To further support caregivers, the Government developed the Information for Caregivers section on Canada.ca/Seniors. There, caregivers can find valuable information on a variety of topics, such as care options, powers of attorney, physical health, mental health and dementia.

Please join me today in thanking caregivers across our country for their ongoing efforts and devotion in providing care and support for their loved ones.

Thank you,

The Honourable Alice Wong, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Seniors)

Quick Facts

• Caregiving refers to unpaid care provided to a family member or friend who needs help due to a chronic or long-term health condition, a disability or aging.
• As a key part of the Canadian Employers for Caregivers Plan, the Employer Panel for Caregivers was established to consult with employers across Canada and produce a report targeted towards employers. The report, When Work and Caregiving Collide: How Employers Can Support Their Employees Who Are Caregivers, provides employers with best practices, tools and resources for supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities.

Associated Links

• Report from the Employer Panel for Caregivers
• Information for Caregivers
• Canada.ca/Seniors

April 2, 2015– Ottawa, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), signed an Agreement on Social Security between Canada and China. The Agreement was also signed by Mr. Hu Xiaoyi, Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

This agreement on social security will provide for continuity of social security coverage for employees sent by their Canadian employers to work temporarily in China. The Agreement will eliminate situations in which such individuals and their Canadian employers will have to contribute to both the Canada Pension Plan and the comparable pension program of China for the same work. This will result in substantial savings and increase the economic competitiveness of Canadian companies operating in China. As well, Chinese companies and their employees sent to work in Canada will benefit from the same advantages.

The Agreement will enter into force once both Canada and China have completed the approval procedures specified in their respective legislation.

Quick Facts

• Canadian companies and their employees sent to work temporarily in China will continue to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan. Chinese companies operating in Canada and their posted employees will continue contributing to China’s pension program.
• Canada has signed 59 international social security agreements to date, of which 56 are in force.
• Canada continues to work with China, our second-largest trading partner, on developing mutually beneficial trade, economic and people-to-people ties in line with our prosperity agenda and our values as Canadians.

Quote

“ Our Government is committed to creating an environment that will help facilitate increased trade between Canada and China. This social security agreement represents yet another step forward in strengthening the relationship and cooperation between our two countries.”

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

Associated Links

Service Canada Social Security Agreements

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada

Backgrounder

The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and China will permit continuity of social security coverage when a person is sent to work temporarily in the other country, and will prevent situations in which employees and their employers would have to contribute to the social security programs of both countries for the same work.

This new agreement will benefit Canada and China by:

• permitting Canadian companies and their employees sent to work temporarily in China to continue to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan and to be exempt from contributing to the comparable pension programs in China for the same work; and

• permitting Chinese companies and their employees sent to work temporarily in Canada to benefit from the same advantages.

This will result in substantial savings and increase the economic competitiveness of Canadian and Chinese companies operating in each other’s territory.

Canada has signed 59 international social security agreements, of which 56 are in force, with the following countries:

Agreements that have been signed with India, Peru and China are not yet in force. They will enter into force once Canada and each of these countries has completed its respective legal process.

March 27, 2015 – Gatineau, Quebec – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today that a call for proposals for pan-Canadian projects funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) will be launched in mid-May 2015 and be open for six weeks. Successful projects will focus exclusively on addressing social isolation among seniors and will be funded between $150,000 and $750,000, over a period of up to three years.

Social isolation involves low quantity and quality of contact with others, the absence of social roles and the absence of mutually rewarding relationships. It can be triggered by certain events, such as the loss of a spouse, a change in income or an illness. Social isolation is associated with higher levels of depression and suicide in seniors. The risk of hospitalization is four to five times greater for socially isolated seniors. Social isolation can also leave seniors vulnerable to elder abuse, including financial abuse.

In their 2014 report, the National Seniors Council highlighted the importance of working with a wide array of organizations which deliver services and programs in an efficient and effective manner to alleviate isolation among older Canadians. Their report is available at Canada.ca/Seniors.

The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation is a national social innovation leader. For this call for proposals, the Government of Canada is partnering with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and its Innoweave initiative to support the development and implementation of innovative community-wide approaches to reduce social isolation among seniors.

In the upcoming call for proposals, priority will be given to innovative applications from communities that will use a coordinated approach to reducing the social isolation of seniors. This will likely result in successful applications being geographically grouped. These new partnerships will be multi-sectoral, involving the traditional and new players required to generate significant change.

For more information, please contact Employment and Social Development Canada at: pnha-nhsp@servicecanada.gc.ca.

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.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 increased funding for the NHSP by $5 million per year, for a total of $50 million provided to this program annually.
• Since 2006, $2.8 billion in annual tax relief has been provided to seniors and pensioners.

Quotes

“More Canadians are getting older and living longer. Our Government is committed to ensuring Canadians’ quality of life by taking action to eliminate the social isolation of seniors. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed now.”

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

“The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation is pleased that its Innoweave initiative will be working with the Government of Canada and community partners to reduce social isolation for seniors. This is a pressing challenge that calls out for collaborative approaches to social innovation.”

– Stephen Huddart, President and CEO, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation

“The National Seniors Council was pleased to have reported on the issue of the social isolation of seniors in 2013–2014, and we are delighted to be continuing our study in that regard. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage Canadians to read our report, which is available at Canada.ca/Seniors. We welcome the response of the Government in announcing its intention to proceed with this initiative within the New Horizons for Seniors Program, in conjunction with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.”

– Dr. Andrew Wister, Chair, National Seniors Council

Associated Links

Canada’s Economic Action Plan

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Canada.ca/Seniors

National Seniors Council

The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation

March 27, 2015– Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), on behalf of the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, today announced additional federal funding to Pathways to Education Canada. The announcement was made as part of the public launch of the new Pathways Vancouver program.

This funding of $24 million over four years will allow Pathways to expand its activities across the country and continue helping at-risk youth living in low-income communities stay in school and get the education they need to succeed both now and in the future.

Pathways is a community-based program that partners with governments, social welfare agencies, community organizations, the private sector, and volunteers to provide youth with tutoring, mentoring and financial assistance. Approximately 5,000 students currently receive support from Pathways, while more than 2,200 have graduated from the program to date.

Graduates of the program are giving back to their communities and are a testament to the program’s success.

Youth programs, such as Pathways, are part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to connect Canadians with available jobs, which includes a number of initiatives to help youth develop skills and gain the experience they need to get jobs.

Quick Facts

• Pathways to Education and its partners currently operate programs in 17 communities across Canada, including the new Vancouver program, and rely on over 1,350 volunteers to work with youth and to serve as mentors and role models.
• Since the introduction of the program, high-school graduation rates among program participants have more than doubled, and post-secondary education participation has increased by up to 300 percent.
• By 2016, Pathways will serve over 10,000 students and alumni each year.
• The Government of Canada is proposing new measures to help make life more affordable for families. These measures include enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit, the introduction of the Family Tax Cut and improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.

Quotes

“Our Government commends Pathways to Education Canada for its outstanding work in helping at-risk youth stay in school and pursue post-secondary education. We are proud to highlight our continued investment in innovative programs like Pathways to Education so more youth can reach their full potential. We are committed to making post-secondary education accessible to all Canadians, recognizing that education and training are key factors in building a strong economy and workforce.”

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

“We are thrilled that the Government of Canada is demonstrating such a strong, continued commitment to Canadian youth. Their generous investment will be extremely valuable as Pathways continues to expand across Canada. Their support will make an important impact on the lives of thousands of youth across the country.”

– Samuel L. Duboc, Chair, Pathways to Education Canada

Associated Links

• Pathways to Education Canada
• Canada’s Economic Action Plan

Backgrounder

Pathways to Education Canada

• Launched in 2001 by the Regent Park Community Health Centre in Toronto, Pathways to Education now operates in 17 communities across Canada with sites in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British Columbia.
• High-school completion rates and post-secondary education participation have dramatically increased since the introduction of the program. In certain communities, the high-school drop-out rate has decreased by as much as 70 percent, and the rate at which program participants go on to college or university is up by 300 percent.
• With support from both Economic Action Plan 2010 and 2013, Pathways has grown from serving approximately 2,500 students at eight sites in two provinces to approximately 5,000 students at 17 sites in five provinces.

Post-secondary education

The Government of Canada invests significantly in helping all Canadians to save for, finance and repay their post‑secondary education. These measures include the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), Canada Student Loans and Grants and the Repayment Assistance Plan.

An RESP is a special savings plan, like a savings account that helps save money for a child’s education after high school. RESPs allow your savings to grow tax-free. RESPs also make it possible to receive extra money through the Government of Canada’s education savings incentives, specifically the CLB and the CESG.

For more information on federal education savings incentives, visit Canlearn.ca.

The Canada Student Loans Program offers loans, grants and repayment assistance to students.

Canada Student Grants provide up-front, non-repayable financial assistance to low- and middle-income students, students with permanent disabilities and students with dependants.

For borrowers having difficulty making their payments, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) helps them repay their loans. RAP makes it easier for borrowers to manage their student loans by paying back what they can reasonably afford, based on their family income and size. Borrowers also have an option to negotiate a revision of repayment terms to accommodate their financial situation, such as extending the amortization period to reduce the size of monthly payments.

Since January 2015, the Canada Apprentice Loan provides apprentices in Red Seal trades with access to interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training. To help apprentices complete their apprenticeship, the loan remains interest-free until after they complete or leave their apprenticeship training program, for a maximum of six years.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant encourage Canadians to pursue and complete their apprenticeship training in designated Red Seal trades. Eligible apprentices could receive up to $4,000, which can be used to pay for tuition, tools or other expenses.

For more information on the supports apprentices can benefit from, visit Canada.ca/apprentice.

Universal Child Care Benefit

The Government of Canada is introducing measures to help families prosper. These measures include enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), the introduction of the Family Tax Cut and improvements to the Child Care Expense 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.

For more information on these new measures, visit Helping Families Prosper.

March 12, 2015 – Gatineau, Quebec – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the new priority for the National Seniors Council (NSC). The NSC will build on its work from 2013/14 and further examine barriers that prevent communities and seniors from reaching out to each other. It will also consider ways to encourage and facilitate communities to establish meaningful contact with socially isolated seniors in their neighborhoods.

Over the past year, the NSC met with seniors and key players from the non-profit, public and private sectors across Canada to assess how social isolation affects seniors. In October 2014, the NSC released the report “Social Isolation of Seniors.” The report provides a summary of the consultation findings as well as measures to help address this social issue.

Minister Wong reiterated to the members of the NSC the importance of continuing their work with local communities and stakeholders to reduce social isolation, a complex and pervasive, but preventable issue.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ ongoing health, well-being and contributions by encouraging seniors to stay active, engaged and informed, but social isolation can leave seniors vulnerable.

Quick Facts

• In 2008, 19 percent of Canadians aged 65 or over felt a lack of companionship, left out or isolated from others.
• Approximately 50 percent of people over the age of 80 report feeling lonely.
• Since 2007, the NSC released six reports on issues related to seniors. They are available online at http://www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca/eng/research_publications/index.shtml.
• The Government of Canada has provided more than $1.7 million in New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) funding support for 24 NHSP pilot projects across Canada that will lead to new initiatives and activities that help reduce the social isolation of seniors.
• The NSC was established in 2007 by the Government of Canada to provide advice on the overall well-being of seniors, both now and in the future.
• The NSC advises on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors, including the opportunities and challenges arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse population of seniors.

Quote

“The social isolation of seniors can leave seniors vulnerable. It’s for that reason the Government of Canada is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ ongoing health, well-being and contributions by encouraging seniors to stay active, engaged and informed.”

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

Related Products

• Report on the Social Isolation of Seniors
• Minister Wong meets with National Seniors Council and holds roundtable on social isolation of seniors
• Recent Appointments to the National Seniors Council [March 3, 2015]

Associated Link

• National Seniors Council
• Canada.ca/Seniors