What to know
- The federal government is investing $54 million through the New Horizons for Seniors Program to fund over 2,600 community-based projects across more than 400 communities.
- Funding will support initiatives like social activities, digital literacy, mentorship, and elder abuse awareness, helping seniors stay engaged and connected.
- The program will expand further, with a new call for proposals expected this spring and maximum project funding set to increase from $25,000 to $50,000.
The Canadian government announced a $54-million investment to fund community-based projects that support seniors across the country.
According to the government, more than 400 communities in the country will benefit from the New Horizon for Seniors Program (NHSP), with the money going to over 2,600 community-based projects tailored to seniors.
The support was announced on Thursday at the Sage Seniors Association in Edmonton, as the organization received $25,000 in funding, which will support them in offering social activities, workshops, digital education sessions, and monthly community meetings.
The new investment is meant to create a “strong and resilient economy” to increase quality of life for Canadian seniors, as many deal with the effects of economic uncertainty and the cost of living. The NHSP will provide this support by creating opportunities to keep communities active and engaged.
“In a more uncertain world, we are focused on what we can control—investing in people and building communities where no one is left behind, so seniors can live with dignity, safety, and a true sense of belonging,” Eleanor Olszewski, the Canadian minister for Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Prairies Economic Development said.
The funding is part of a 2025-2026 government proposal calling for community projects through the NHSP. The 2026-2027 call for proposals will be launched by the government later this spring, in addition to raising the maximum funding a project can receive from $25,000 to $50,000.
The NHSP is a federal government program, which provides grants and funding to projects that aim to improve the quality of life of senior citizens in the country.
To receive the funding, projects must follow at least one of the program’s objectives:
- Encourage seniors and older generations to volunteer;
- Engage seniors in mentorship programs;
- Create awareness of elder abuse;
- Support social inclusion of seniors;
- Provide monetary assistance to community-projects for seniors.
Since the program was adopted in 2004, it has provided funding to more than 45,000 projects in Canada, with over $1 billion in support.
