The Government of Canada Supports Seniors in Wellington County
GUELPH, ONTARIO, March 19, 2009—Mr. Michael Chong, Member of Parliament for Wellington–Halton Hills, today announced federal support for the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Mr. Chong made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors).
Speaking at the Office of the Federated Women”s Institutes of Ontario, Mr. Chong highlighted almost $25,000 in funding for the organization to help ensure that seniors have the opportunity to participate and take an active leadership role within their community.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country,” said Mr. Chong. “This project will encourage seniors in Wellington County to continue sharing their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others.”
The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario received funding for its project ROSE Buddies. Through the project, seniors will create partnerships with local elementary schools and facilitate an intergenerational memoir-writing program with youth.
The investment highlighted today falls under the Community Participation and Leadership component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which encourages seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
With two additional components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program—Capital Assistance and Elder Abuse Awareness—the overall budget of the Program is now $35 million per year.
Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 4,200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
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