MP Keddy was happy to be in his hometown of New Ross to announce federal funding for local seniors programs. From left to right: Phillip Broome, Chairman of the Forties Community Centre, Gerald Keddy, MP for South Shore - St. Margaret's, Lisa Wolfe, Co-ordinator for the Generation to Generation project with the Ross Farm Museum, Bob Hutt, Videographer for the Generation to Generation project with the Ross Farm Museum, and Dawn Harwood-Jones, Volunteer with the Back 2 The Future project with the Chester & Area Family Resource Centre.

NEW ROSS, NOVA SCOTIA, March 17, 2009—Mr. Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore–St. Margaret’s, today announced federal support for the Ross Farm Museum, the Chester and Area Family Resource Centre and the Forties Community Centre under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Mr. Keddy 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).

Mr. Keddy highlighted $49,300 in funding for three projects 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. Keddy. “These projects will encourage seniors in New Ross and Chester to continue sharing their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others.”

The Ross Farm Museum received $19,800 for its project From Generation to Generation, through which retired farmers will use their farming skills to train new farm workers.  

The Chester and Area Family Resource Centre received $19,000 for its project Back 2 the Future, under which seniors will work with youth to produce an on-line video collection honouring the varied experiences of the community’s senior residents. 

The Forties Community Centre received $10,500 for its project Seniors Giving Back, through which seniors will plan and promote eight activities, including a variety show, a vintage clothing fashion show, and a senior appreciation night.

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.

In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government made a clear commitment to protect Canadians, including seniors, in difficult times by implementing several key measures: