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“Through initiatives such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are helping to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue as active, participating members of their communities,” said McLeod.

The North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo received $10,000 to build an accessible pathway to enable seniors to participate in the Fall Fair and Rodeo.

“We really appreciate receiving this funding to help in creating an outdoor pathway that will assist seniors, those with mobility problems, and people who use wheelchairs or walkers, in being able to safely negotiate throughout our fairground facility.  Now folks with mobility challenges will be able to enjoy all corners of our annual Fall Fair and Rodeos,” said Jill Hayward, President of the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association.

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded more than 12,200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. This year, the Government of Canada will provide more than $33 million in funding for approximately 1,750 community projects.

“While Canada has one of the safest rail systems in the world, our Government is working to further reduce rail accidents across the country,” said McLeod. “These improvements will make our intersections significantly safer in our riding.”

Our Government is investing $ 9.3 million in grade crossing improvement projects to enhance safety for pedestrians and motorists at 523 locations across the country. Through the Government of Canada’s Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP), eligible railway crossings are upgraded or relocated based on factors such as traffic volume and accident history. Improvements may include installing flashing lights and bells, installing gate barriers, linking crossing signals to traffic signals, or adding new circuits or timing devices.

“A safe and secure national rail transportation system is important to local communities and to Canada’s economic well-being,” said Minister of Transport Denis Lebel. “This funding will go a long way toward enhancing safety and helping to save lives at critical grade crossings.”

The Government of Canada also supports other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings, such as Operation Lifesaver — a national public education program whose goal is to reduce the needless loss of life, injuries and damages caused by highway/railway crossing collisions and train/pedestrian incidents.  For more information about Operation Lifesaver and rail safety, visit www.operationlifesaver.ca.

Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for  Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors).

“Our government recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience that seniors contribute to our society and the economy,” said MP McLeod. “Through initiatives such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are helping to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue as active, participating members of their communities.”

The North Shore Community Centre Society will receive $25,000 to make improvements to their facility. This will help promote the social participation and inclusion of seniors by continuing to offer activities such as computing, crafting, exercising and game playing.

“As a non-profit society, the North Shore Community Centre is constantly striving to meet the needs of the many groups and individuals who make use of our facility.  Every dollar of revenue is needed for our operating expenses, which we are able to keep down only because of the generous support of our great volunteers.  That is why we are so grateful for the generosity of the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.  The New Horizons grant will allow us to improve our facility and make it a viable and attractive place for those many people who use it,” said Doug Dickson, Manager of the North Shore Community Centre Society.

The Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society will receive $19,500 which will allow the organization to engage seniors in the community through mentoring of peers and enable Elders to develop and participate in workshops about the legalities and processes of end of life planning.

“We are grateful for this funding which will allow us to assist Elders from all nations to learn about wills and estate planning, the critical need for a will, and getting the Elder’s wishes for their estate into a legal will document,” said Christopher Phillips, Executive Director of the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society.

The Centre for Seniors Information-CSI Kamloops will receive $18,300 to install a sound system to support social participation and inclusion of seniors by offering healthy living events, lunch and learn workshops and monthly cultural activities.

“Thank you to New Horizons for Seniors for continuing their valuable support to programs like “Better Together”. This funding is vital for our senior population to continue helping other seniors. It will enhance the opportunity to learn and socialize through special events and group activities such as healthy living, lunch & learn workshops, and drop in activities to promote socialization and inclusiveness.  Facilitated group discussions will provide an opportunity to talk about challenges and concerns they face in their daily lives and to have their voices be heard.  When seniors gather together for a specific goal or learning experience, they also benefit greatly from social interaction, create valuable connections, form friendships and identify similar interests that go far beyond the initial event.  The “Better Together Program”, operating out of the CSI Activity Centre in Brock Mall, encourages the participation of all seniors with a special emphasis on low-income, ethnic, and disabled seniors who are marginalized due to a lack of knowledge and/or the availability of appropriate services, accessibility, and required space,” said Brenda Prevost, Executive Director for the Centre for Seniors Information-CSI Kamloops.

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded more than 12,200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. This year, the Government of Canada will provide more than $33 million in funding for approximately 1,750 community projects.

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