Canada Announces More Than $54 Million for Seniors’ Community Projects
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The federal government is investing more than $54 million in 2,618 community-based projects for seniors across more than 400 communities in Canada, under the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
The funding was announced in Edmonton by Secretary of State for Seniors Stephanie McLean. It will support local projects designed to help seniors stay socially connected, improve digital literacy, raise awareness about financial abuse and fraud, and create stronger links between seniors and younger generations. One of the funded organizations, Sage Seniors Association in Edmonton, received $25,000 for social, educational, financial, and digital workshops for seniors.
The money comes from the 2025–2026 community-based call for proposals. Under that call, eligible organizations could receive up to $25,000 for projects lasting up to 52 weeks. The government says the next call for proposals for 2026–2027 will open later this spring, with the maximum amount rising to $50,000 per project.
According to the federal backgrounder, Ontario received the largest share, with 816 approved projects worth more than $17.5 million. Quebec followed with 840 projects worth more than $16.1 million, while British Columbia received funding for 300 projects worth more than $6.7 million. The total approved funding across provinces and territories reached $54.6 million.
The program does not provide direct payments to individual seniors. Instead, it funds organizations, community centres, and local groups that deliver services and activities for seniors. Its official objectives include promoting volunteerism, mentoring, social participation, awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse, and capital support for community projects serving seniors.
The announcement has particular relevance for older women and women living alone. Statistics Canada reported that 4.4 million people lived alone in Canada in 2021, the highest number on record. Housing data also shows that women, especially older women and women living alone, are more likely than men to face core housing need.
Since its launch in 2004, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded more than 45,000 projects in communities across Canada, with federal investments exceeding $1 billion. The government says more than 900,000 seniors participate each year in community projects supported by the program, based on the most recent two years of available data.
The increase in the next funding cap to $50,000 could allow community organizations to build larger and more structured programs, especially around social isolation, digital literacy, financial fraud prevention, and access to public services. The main test will be whether these programs reach the seniors who are most isolated, including older women living alone, newcomers, low-income seniors, and people with limited mobility.
For families, the practical step is to check local senior centres, community organizations, libraries, and immigrant-serving agencies for programs funded through New Horizons. For organizations, the next opportunity will come with the 2026–2027 call for proposals later this spring.
