Report from Parliament Hill:
Bob Nault - MP, Kenora Riding
What has the federal government accomplished since 2015?
Two programs bring over $3.3 million dollars for youth and seniors in the North
With the majority of our government’s four years in the rear-view mirror, it is an opportune time to recap some of the accomplishments of our first term. By concentrating on building our economy, creating quality jobs, and investing in important social programs, among other things, our country has become even stronger. This week, we’ll explore what positive measures have been taken specifically with our youth and seniors in mind. Over the coming weeks, I’ll highlight what we’ve done to improve the everyday lives of Northerners and Canadians across our country.
To give youth in our riding valuable on-the-job learning experiences, this year, the Kenora riding received an investment of $686,164 for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program. This program gives young Northerners meaningful work experiences, and for many, a Canada Summer Job is their first experience in the workforce and a great opportunity to begin building a resume. This year, all youth between the ages of 15 and 30 who are legally entitled to work in Canada are eligible to apply for positions, not just students.
Since 2016, we have received over $2.6 million in Canada Summer Jobs funding, creating over 972 jobs for youth throughout the North. Because of this funding, both private businesses and not-for-profit organizations have been able to provide quality work experiences in a variety of sectors. Throughout the years, CSJ has funded positions at: the Kenora Public Library, the Experimental Lakes Area, Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, First Steps Women’s Shelter, the Municipality of Machin, and the Dryden Police Service. While these are just a few of the employers who have received funding, it is easy to see the valuable experiences granted by CSJ funding.
The New Horizons for Seniors (NHFS) program is just one of the many ways the federal government engages and supports seniors in our communities. Every year, organizations throughout the North apply for New Horizons for Seniors Program funding for community-based projects that are senior-led and foster the inclusion and engagement of seniors which, in turn, improves their quality of life.
This year, the Kenora riding received over $150,000 for nine projects. Projects receiving new funding must address one of the program’s objectives: promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations, engaging seniors in the community through the mentoring of others, expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse, supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors, or providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or projects for seniors.
Since 2016, our riding has received $685,315 for 33 New Horizons for Seniors projects. Projects have included: helping to build the Eagle River Friendship Terrace Greenhouse, fixing the floor of the Vermilion Bay Lions Club, providing seniors outreach in Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, building relationships between seniors and youth in Pickle Lake, installing an air exchange system for the Dryden Go Getters, and supporting the new Ignace Meals on Wheels program. While these are just a few examples, it is easy to see how important this funding is to seniors and all Northerners.
Through the Canada Summer Jobs program and the New Horizons for Seniors Program alone, the Kenora riding has seen investments totaling $3,323,198 since 2015. This funding has been used to positively impact the lives of both seniors and youth in our communities. Each project, each summer job, and each life that is impacted by these investments is a step in the right direction towards building our region and making the North even stronger.
