Gary Black, President of the Canadian Seniors Games Association, Rob, Minister Hedard Albert and Jean LeBlanc,Dieppe Mayor at the opening ceremonies


Rob addresses the participants


Over 1500 attending the games from all over Canada

Government of Canada supports Jeux Canadiens 55+ Canada Games 2008

August 27, 2008 -- DIEPPE, NEW BRUNSWICK -- Mr. Rob Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, on behalf of the Government of Canada, today spoke at the opening ceremonies for the Jeux Canadiens 55+ Canada Games 2008 in Dieppe, New Brunswick. Over 1500 people were in attendance for the opening ceremony.

The Jeux Canadiens 55+ Canada Games 2008 is a nation-wide program that promotes physical, mental and social well-being among Canadians 55 years of age and older through recreational, cultural and sports activities.

"Our government is proud to support the Jeux Canadiens 55+ Canada Games, which promote physical and mental activities for seniors," said Mr. Moore. "

Speaking before organizers, participants and volunteers, Mr. Moore highlighted the importance of the Jeux Canadiens 55+ Canada Games 2008 in promoting physical and mental well-being for seniors and older adults across Canada. He also announced that the Government of Canada provided $40,000 to support this event through the Social Development Partnerships Program.

Mr. Moore highlighted Budget 2008 and other recent initiatives of the federal government to address the needs of Canada's seniors, including:
  • establishing the National Seniors Council to advise the Government on issues of importance to older Canadians;
  • providing more than $1 billion in tax relief each year to Canadian seniors through pension income splitting and enhancements in the age and pension income credits;
  • enabling seniors to build their retirement savings in Registered Pension Plans and Registered Retirement Savings Plans for an extra two years until age 71;
  • providing $13 million over three years to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on what support is available; funding projects in hundreds of communities across Canada under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, helping seniors to bring their leadership, energy and skills to benefit our communities;
  • making it easier to apply for Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits, and particularly the Guaranteed Income Supplement;
  • raising the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) earned income exemption to $3,500 from $500.
The Government of Canada is also addressing the needs of unemployed older workers by making available $90 million to extend the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers until March 31, 2012. This federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative is designed to respond to the needs of unemployed older workers in vulnerable communities by helping them find new employment and remain active and productive labour market participants. In January 2007, the Government of Canada also announced the creation of an Expert Panel to conduct a study of the labour market conditions faced by older workers.

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) makes investments to enhance the quality of life and promote the full participation of all Canadians in all aspects of Canadian society. SDPP plays a unique role in furthering broad social goals by making strategic investments, through grants and contributions, in generating and disseminating knowledge, fostering partnerships to achieve shared goals and strengthening the capacity of the social non-profit sector.

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For more information, please contact:
Sean Phelan
Special Assistant - Communications
Office of Rob Moore, M.P. Fundy Royal
(613) 996-2316