The Government of Canada supports projects for seniors in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

April 06, 2009

 

Featured in the photo, from left to right: Cheryl Johnson – Executive Director of Tourism Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows, and Co-Chair of the Spirit of BC Committee, Bonnie Telep – Co-Chair of the Spirit of BC Committee, Randy Kamp – MP, Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, Pat Kramer – Director, Tourism Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows, Nizar Virani – Manager, Travelodge, Maple Ridge.

6 April 2009, Maple Ridge, BC — Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, today announced federal support to launch the Spirit of Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Ambassador Program for Tourism Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Mr. Kamp 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 Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in building and strengthening communities across our country,” said Kamp. “This project will enable the creation of an Ambassador program in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge that will allow seniors to stay involved in their community.”

The Spirit of Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Ambassador Program brings together senior and youth volunteers who will take the lead roles in a community outreach initiative to connect with visitors, residents and businesses about local visitor attractions and 2010 Olympic activities.

“From a tourism perspective, it is very important that local stakeholders work together to encourage safe, clean, friendly and vibrant communities. For it is those same qualities that are not only important to local residents and businesses, but also to visitors to our area,” said Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director or Tourism Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows. “By delivering the Spirit of Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Ambassador Program together with our community partners, Tourism Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows is helping to create a more dynamic, accessible and welcoming experience for visitors, residents and local businesses. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for their support of this important community outreach initiative.”

Mr. Kamp highlighted $24,800 in funding to the Spirit of Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Ambassador Program under the Community Participation and Leadership component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which helps organizations that support seniors.

On March 18, 2009, Minister LeBreton announced more than $11 million (?) in funding to over 900 projects across Canada through the Community Participation and Leadership and Capital Assistance component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

With the two other components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program—Community Participation and Elder Abuse Awareness—the overall budget of the Program is $35 million per year.

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 5,000 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:

Increasing the Age Credit by $1,000 for 2009 and beyond to allow eligible seniors to receive up to an additional $150 in annual tax savings.

Providing seniors with $200 million in tax relief by reducing the required minimum withdrawal amount for 2008 from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25 percent, in recognition of the impact of the deterioration in market conditions on retirement savings.

Helping older workers and their families through these tough economic times by investing an additional $60 million over three years in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, and by expanding the number of eligible communities to include older workers in small cities.

Providing $400 million over two years through the Affordable Housing Initiative for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors.

Establishing an independent Task Force to make recommendations on a cohesive national strategy on financial literacy for Canadians.