Federal funding aims to help Cape Breton seniors with at-home living expenses
At a time when many Maritime seniors are struggling with inflation, the federal government has pledged some extra funding to help them with daily living expenses.
“Everything goes up but our pension cheques. That's about it,” said Danielle Willis, Glace Bay, N.S., senior.
Willis was on hand to hear the federal government announcement in Glace Bay, N.S., of $679,946 to fund programs that will give practical support to seniors in the area.
“In the years to come, it will help me out. I still get around pretty good, but I see a lot of people that need a lot of help around here,” said Willis.
The money will go towards offering maintenance for seniors still living at home — for lawn care, taxi travel, and more.
It will also help Town House Glace Bay expand their meals on wheels program, which is in high demand right now due to food insecurity.
“Folks come in and they're just desperate and are struggling so much, and non-profits have been struggling themselves to help, and it’s been so taxing,” said Patti McDonald, executive director of Town House Citizens Service League.
McDonald has challenged politicians and members of the community in the past to sleep in a tent for the night to experience what it's like to be homeless.
The non-profit group is seeing more and more people asking for help, from seniors to low income.
“Not only is it a big day for town house and for the clients we serve, but it's a big day for the small businesses we work with because this is going to be an influx of business for them as well,” said McDonald.
Nova Scotia Liberal MP Mike Kelloway says his government wants to help keep seniors in their homes as they get older.
“Yes we index CPP, yes we index GIS, but we need to do more and this program is an example of that. We will continue to look at ways to invest in seniors,” said Kelloway .
McDonald says she will continue to push all levels of government for funding to continue to offer programs to assist folks through difficult times.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau appears unwilling to expand proposed rebate, despite pressure to include seniors
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to 'hardworking Canadians,' despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work.
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Trudeau says no question incoming U.S. president Trump is serious on tariff threat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats on tariffs should be taken seriously.
Latest updates: Tracking RSV, influenza, COVID-19 in Canada
As the country heads into the worst time of year for respiratory infections, the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report tracks how prevalent certain viruses are each week and how the trends are changing week to week.
Weekend weather: Parts of Canada could see up to 50 centimetres of snow, wind chills of -40
Winter is less than a month away, but parts of Canada are already projected to see winter-like weather.
Atlantic hurricane season comes to an end, leaving widespread damage in its wake in U.S.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season comes to a close Saturday, bringing to an end a season that saw 11 hurricanes compared to the average seven.
Armed men in speedboats make off with women and children when a migrants' dinghy deflates off Libya
Armed men in two speedboats took off with women and children after a rubber dinghy carrying some 112 migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea started deflating off Libya's coast, a humanitarian aid group said Friday.
Federal government posts $13B deficit in first half of the fiscal year
The Finance Department says the federal deficit was $13 billion between April and September.