Health and Community Services
Municipal Affairs
January 18, 2011

Creation of Age-Friendly Communities Made Possible
through Provincial Grants Program

The Provincial Government is now accepting applications for the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador (AFNL) Grants Program. A total of $200,000 will be available. The grants provide assistance to incorporated municipalities, Inuit community governments and reserves, as well as seniors’ organizations and retiree groups throughout the province.

“Planning for an aging population is a priority for our government,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors. “The Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants Program provides funding to municipalities and organizations to help them identify challenges and put a plan in place to build a more age-friendly community where older individuals can thrive.”

First launched in 2010, the program allows communities to evaluate resources and assets with respect to their work towards a long-term mindset of age-friendliness. In 2009-10, $100,000 in funding was distributed to Cox’s Cove, Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook, Holyrood, Kippens, Lewisporte, Miawpukek First Nation Reserve, North West River, Pouch Cove, Springdale and St. Lawrence. The grants allowed communities to develop teams to work closely with seniors and provide regular updates to town councils on their activities.

Also in 2009-10, 13 seniors’ organizations received a total of $100,000. For example, the New World Island 50+ Club received $9,000 to offer events such as educational sessions and social opportunities aimed at enhancing the social inclusion and independence of seniors. Other organizations that received funding were Active Aging Plus in Sunnyside, Buckmasters Circle Community Centre in St. John’s, Burin Senior Citizens Club, Charlottetown Anti-Violence Peer Advocates, Father Val Power Centre in St. Mary’s, Glenwood-Appleton New Horizons 50+ Club, Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group, Newfoundland and Labrador Pensioners and Senior Citizens 50+ Federation Inc., Random Age-Friendly Communities in Clarenville, Robert’s Arm and Area Active Living for Older Adults, Sunshine 50+ club in St. David’s, and the Trepassey 50+ Friendship Club.

“Seniors are an important part of our communities, and play a significant role in setting a wonderful example of living healthy, active lives,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “I encourage municipalities to submit an application for funding, and support opportunities for seniors to become more active through social, recreational or learning opportunities, all of which support the health and well-being of municipalities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The AFNL Grants Program is one initiative of the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework which was launched by the Provincial Government in 2007. The priorities outlined in the framework are: recognition of older persons; celebrating diversity; supportive communities; financial well-being; health and well-being; and, employment, education and research. The Office for Aging and Seniors was created to support the steps the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is taking to make healthy aging a provincial priority.

“As an active senior, I’m very pleased that our municipalities can apply for the AFNL Grants Program,” said Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) President Harry Hallett. “Supporting healthy, active aging is an investment that will benefit the entire community and maintaining these grants is a positive move that will sustain the contributions of older adults.”

Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future included several measures that support healthy aging. For example, the age amount tax credit, a non-refundable tax credit for taxpayers who are 65 or older, increased from $3,681 to $5,000. As a result of the increase, the income at which taxpayers were eligible to receive a benefit from the credit increased from $51,940 to $60,733. Budget 2010 further enhanced the Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit Program, with the maximum amount under the program increasing from $803 to $900.

The deadline for applications for the AFNL Grants Program is February 21, 2011. Further information on the program, including the application form and guidelines, is available at www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/grantsfunding/age_friendly.html.

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2011 01 18                                                         3:25 p.m.