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Seniors

During question period, the topic of seniors came up through the New Horizons for Seniors grant program. Luc Berthold of the Conservatives asked why the government changed the program’s rules shortly before the 2026 call for proposals, saying the new requirements made it too hard for local organizations to apply and that seniors in his riding were complaining. Joël Lightbound, for the Liberals, said the government is proud of the program, that it supports hundreds and thousands of organizations across the country, and that it will continue to fund it. He also said the member opposite had voted to take dental care away from tens of thousands of people, including seniors in his riding.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Luc Berthold

Conservative
“The government changed the rules for a seniors grant program at the last minute, making it too hard for local groups to apply. Seniors in my riding are complaining. I want the minister to explain why the government made these changes.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that is not even an answer. I heard something unbelievable. Why did the Liberals “liberalize” the New Horizons for Seniors program? Just a few days before the 2026 call for proposals was launched, the Liberals changed the rules and made it impossible for organizations to apply for grants. I have received about a dozen complaint letters from farm women in seniors clubs. Will the Liberals have to create another program to help our seniors apply for the New Horizons program? That does not make any sense. I am going to share the minister’s response with all of the Liberal ridings, and then we will see what those MPs have to say to the minister, who is telling members that they are not doing their job.

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“We will keep funding programs that help seniors. The member across the way voted to take dental care away from tens of thousands of people, including seniors in his own riding.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are very proud of the New Horizons for Seniors program, which benefits hundreds and even thousands of organizations across Quebec and Canada. We will continue to support this program. It is a program that works. When my colleague talks to the seniors in his riding, I hope that he tells the over 39,000 healthy people, many of whom are seniors, that they will no longer have access to the Canadian dental care plan if he votes as he did to take it away from them. That is shameful.

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