Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Seniors

During question period, members raised concerns about changes to the New Horizons for Seniors program, which funds community projects for seniors. Conservative members Anna Roberts and Dominique Vien said the new rules, which require volunteer-run groups to register for a CRA business number and use an online portal, are too complicated for senior volunteers and could put hundreds of projects at risk, and asked the government to remove these requirements. Liberal ministers Leslie Church and Anna Gainey said the program supported over 2,600 projects last year, that this year’s grants are worth more, that the changes strengthen the program’s integrity, and that officials are available to help groups apply before the July 14 deadline. Church also noted her party’s view that Conservatives have voted against measures like dental care that benefit seniors.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Anna Roberts

Conservative

Linked statement

“The government made sudden, complicated online changes to a grant program for seniors. Many senior volunteers cannot meet the new rules in time. I want the government to remove these barriers.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, community organizations are warning that the rush changes to the New Horizons for Seniors program are putting hundreds of projects at risk. Many volunteers are seniors who already struggle with technology. With only weeks to register for a CRA business number and navigate a complex online portal, these changes are overwhelming and many fear they will be disqualified. Will the Liberals fix these unnecessary barriers or will they have to create another program to help seniors apply for a current one?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Leslie Church

Liberal
“Our program helps seniors stay active and connected. Last year it supported over 2,600 projects across Canada. This year we are giving out more money and making the rules stronger.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 36 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are incredibly proud of this program. Last year alone, it supported over 2,600 projects right across Canada, helping seniors stay active and engaged and fight isolation. This year, we are increasing the value of the grants and we are making some changes to strengthen the integrity of the program. Service Canada is there to assist any organization with questions on how to apply and we are going to make sure that this program remains accessible for seniors and organizations, and meets the standards of integrity that Canadians expect.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

Anna Roberts

Conservative
“The new online rules make it too hard for seniors' groups to get government funding. I want to know why the government is adding more red tape.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the secretary of state claims that registering for a CRA business number and using the online portal is simple, but senior organizations are telling a different story. In my community of King—Vaughan, where 18 senior groups have been supporting over 6,000 senior volunteers, organizations have been frantically calling my office, scared of missing out on critical funding. These changes will leave the most vulnerable organizations behind. Why are the Liberals trying to bury seniors in even more red tape?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Leslie Church

Liberal
“We worked with community groups to make good changes to this program for seniors. It helps seniors in every part of the country. Conservatives criticize us, but they vote against dental care and money for groceries for seniors.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is quite the opposite. We have worked hand in hand with organizations to ensure that these changes to this program are welcomed. We know that this program delivers important services for seniors in every single riding of every member in this House. That is something that we are going to continue. We will take no lessons from the Conservatives in our support for seniors, while they continue to vote against programs like the dental care plan and the groceries and essentials benefit that benefit single seniors right across the country.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

Dominique Vien

Conservative
“The government has made new rules that make it harder for volunteer groups to get money for seniors. Groups now have to wait months to get a business number and use a hard online system. I want the government to drop these rules.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as we mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day today, the Liberal government is standing in the way of organizations that support seniors. The new rules for the New Horizons for Seniors program are forcing volunteer groups to get a business number from the Canada Revenue Agency. This process can take months and also requires them to navigate an online application system. These organizations want to help seniors, not fight Ottawa’s bureaucracy. Is the government going to back down on these bureaucratic reforms? Yes, we know the people in our ridings.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Anna Gainey

Liberal
“We want our funding program to reach seniors who lead community groups. We made changes to keep the program fair and open. Groups must apply by July 14, and our department is ready to help them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to ensuring that the New Horizons for Seniors program reaches community organizations led by seniors who are improving Canadians’ quality of life. These changes are important to keep the program accessible while also complying with the standards of integrity that Canadians expect. We are working with the Canada Revenue Agency and with the department to help organizations that need assistance managing this number. The forms are ready. The deadline is July 14, and the department is ready to help anyone who needs help.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 136

All 42 items ·
  1. Private Members' Business Income Tax Act 14 statements
  2. Government Orders Government Business No. 12—Proceedings on Bill C-30 32 statements
  3. Government Orders Government Orders 20 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 12 statements
  5. Oral Questions Government Priorities 6 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Economy 15 statements
  7. Oral Questions Climate Change 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions Seniors 6 statements
  9. Oral Questions Access to Information 6 statements
  10. Oral Questions Artificial Intelligence 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions The Economy 11 statements
  12. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Public Safety 6 statements
  14. Oral Questions Youth 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 4 statements
  17. Oral Questions Taxation 8 statements
  18. Government Orders Government Business No. 12—Proceedings on Bill C-30 31 statements
  19. Government Orders Government Business No. 12—Proceedings on Bill C-30 50 statements
  20. Government Orders Government Business No. 12—Proceedings on Bill C-30 41 statements
  21. Government Orders Combatting Hate Act 37 statements
  22. Government Orders Combatting Hate Act 38 statements