LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec – On behalf of the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, the Honourable Monte Solberg, and the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors), the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, the Member for Mégantic—L’Érable and Secretary of State (Agriculture), the Honourable Christian Paradis, today congratulated the CFDC of the Mégantic region for its selection for funding under the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This funding will give the seniors of Lac Mégantic the opportunity to participate and play a leadership role in the life of their community.

A total of $5,398 is being paid for the Semaine de l’intergénération project.

“The Government of Canada is proud to help seniors strengthen communities and build our country,” said Christian Paradis. “These projects will encourage seniors to continue sharing their skills and wisdom and allow others to benefit from their experience.”

In the 2007 budget, the Government of Canada announced an additional $10 million per year for two new components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, designed to raise public awareness of elder abuse and to provide capital assistance for upgrading facilities and equipment used for existing seniors programs. The projects funded under these new components will be announced in spring 2008.

The federal government has also worked to meet the needs of seniors through a series of important measures, including the following:

• It has created the National Seniors Council to provide the government with advice on issues of importance to Canadian seniors.
• It has enabled 1.6 million low-income seniors to benefit from an increase in their monthly Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits and to fill out only one application to receive the GIS. Provided they file an income tax return each year, these persons will not have to complete a new application.
• It granted over $1 billion in tax relief to Canadian seniors and pensioners in the 2007 budget.
• It has allowed seniors to let their savings grow in registered pension plans and registered retirement savings plans for two more years, up until age 71.
• It increased the amount that seniors can claim as an age credit on their 2007 tax return. By paying less income tax, seniors can save more.
  

Since being launched, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has financed more than 2600 projects all across the country that encourage seniors to demonstrate leadership and to devote their energy and skills to projects that benefit our communities. For more information about the program, please visit this site:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/community_
partnerships/seniors/index.shtml