Office of Terry Sheehan
Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
News Release
MP Terry Sheehan announces federal funds in support of projects for seniors
(Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – April 22, 2022) Far too many seniors face isolation in their retirement years. This was a fact even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is committed to empowering seniors by supporting three more opportunities for older Canadians to stay involved and engaged in their communities.
Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Seniors Kamal Khera announced investments in support of three more community-based projects in the Riding of Sault Ste. Marie. These projects will help seniors stay active, informed, and socially connected in their communities. This funding was awarded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program’s recent call for proposals for community-based projects.
The Sault Ste. Marie Museum and 49th Field Regiment RCA Historical Society has been granted $21,963 to conduct repairs to three spaces as well as purchase shelving, chairs and tables to allow seniors to continue to participate in activities such as weaving workshops.
The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie has been granted $24,963 to purchase accessible picnic tables, benches and timers and to repair bocce courts to allow seniors to continue participating in various activities including pickleball and bocce.
The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association has been awarded $25,000 to renovate the facility restroom to allow seniors to continue to offer events such as teas and bake sales that promote healthy aging safely.
Quotes
“Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government of Canada is providing a wide range of opportunities for seniors in the Riding of Sault Ste. Marie to participate in meaningful activities which will nurture their personal growth and foster community vitality.”
-- Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour
“New Horizons for Seniors is a great federal program that supports many local programs in Sault Ste. Marie, including the pickleball courts and bocce courts at Elliott Sports Complex here in Ward 4.”
--Marchy Bruni, Sault Ste. Marie City Councillor for Ward 4
"The Sault Ste. Marie Museum is extremely excited to be awarded funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This funding will allow the Museum to continue to grow and expand its offerings, programming, and community connection to people of all ages. This funding will allow for the renovation of our third-floor space, enhancing accessibility for our in-house partners, the Algoma Weaver's Guild. It will provide this space with new flooring, shelving, chairs, and tables creating more opportunities for the community to share and engage with our partners at the Museum. This funding will also allow for the Museum to change over an exhibition storage space and create an additional breakout programming room able to be used by those of all ages! Whether old or young we encourage everyone to come down and Discover Your Museum!"
--William Hollingshead, Executive Director and Chief Curator, Sault Ste. Marie Museum
“This New Horizons grant will be utilized to support the addition of amenities at the Elliott Pickleball Courts and the refurbishment of the bocce courts. In addition, a number of older adults will attend a National Coaching Certification Course on how to teach pickleball. Over the summer months, members of the community will be invited to attend sessions and learn how to play pickleball. We are thankful to have received funding through the New Horizons for Senior Program.”
--Virginia McLeod, Manager, Recreation and Culture, City of Sault Ste. Marie
“We are excited to receive funding for this restroom renovation project as it will allow for a fully accessible, more comfortable and appealing environment that will encourage residents, their families, volunteers and other seniors in the community to once again participate in our large array of activities and events, increasing their social participation and the overall inclusion of all seniors.”
--Paul Belair, CEO of the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association
Quick Facts
Related Documents
Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program
Associated Link
Programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening communities
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Sandra Paul BA, MA, CHRP
Constituency Assistant
Office of MP Terry Sheehan
369 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 1Z4
Office landline: 705-941-2901
Call/text: 705-542-8463
