The Government of Canada supports seniors in Barrie

December 21, 2009

Barrie, Ontario -  Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, today announced federal support for the IOOF under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Patrick Brown 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).

The IOOF will receive $24,525 for its project, Bringing Information Technology to Seniors, to enable seniors to learn to effectively use computers allowing them to connect to information, services, family, friends and others in the community to reduce social isolation.

“Seniors are valuable members of society who contribute a diversity of skills, knowledge and experience to their communities,” said Mr. Brown. “Through the Community Participation and Leadership component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government of Canada is supporting local projects that enable seniors to contribute to their communities through social participation and active living.”

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 5,500 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.