The Government of Canada invests in renovations of the North River Community Hall

June 06, 2010

North River, NS - Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, today announced federal support for the North River Community Hall under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

MP Keddy made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).

The North River Community Hall will receive $6,117 to assist the Hall in making repairs to the stage floor, adding heating ducts and to replace kitchen appliances and tables.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support projects that assist seniors and keep them involved in their communities,” said MP Keddy. “This investment will contribute to the well-being of the Hall and the people that it serves. Events at the North River Community Hall will be even more enjoyable with these improvements.”

“The improvements that this grant enables us to undertake will make it more functional and comfortable for the many people who use our hall,” said Winston Shatford, President of the North River Community Hall.

Capital Assistance funding helps non-profit organizations upgrade facilities or equipment required for existing seniors’ programs and activities. This project is one of 645 projects that were approved through the 2009–2010 call for proposals, providing more than $8.5 million in funding through the Capital Assistance funding stream.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 6,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100,000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.

Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan committed $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.

For more information about the New Horizons for Seniors Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.