News release

Province Funds Community Groups, Municipalities to Support Southwestern-area Seniors

Seniors (Oct. 2007 - Aug. 2021)

NOTE: A list of projects receiving grants in Southwestern Nova Scotia follows this release.


Seniors in Port Saxon, Shelburne Co., will soon be practising gentle yoga as part of a recreation and wellness project.

In nearby West Pubnico, Yarmouth Co., Acadian seniors will soon be sharing their wisdom with young people through an inter-generational video project.

The projects are two of 59 -- including 10 in Southwestern Nova Scotia -- to receive a portion of nearly $440,000 in funding being awarded to support seniors' participation in communities across the province. The grants were announced today, Feb. 2, by Len Goucher, Minister of Seniors.

"These grants represent more than just funding for community-minded organizations," said Mr. Goucher. "These initiatives have been selected because they'll offer new opportunities for seniors, often by seniors, that are sustainable and which bring together different generations."

Forty-two non-profit organization projects will be supported through the Positive Aging Fund and 17 projects will be co-funded by municipalities through the Age-Friendly Communities Program.

The Positive Aging Fund helps non-profit community organizations create projects that advance Nova Scotia's Strategy for Positive Aging. The strategy is a long-term guide for planning for the province's aging population, with a focus on the health, well-being and community participation of seniors. Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 for projects through the fund.

The Age-Friendly Communities Program helps municipalities create or adapt structures or services to be accessible, and inclusive of seniors, so they are able to lead healthy, active lives. Participating municipalities jointly fund the grants, which can also be up to $10,000 per project.

"At a time when there are more seniors than ever before, these municipalities are recognizing the value of making sure seniors have full enjoyment of all the community has to offer," said Mr. Goucher. "It's equally important that communities have the benefit of all that seniors have to offer them."

The Department of Seniors received more than 120 applications for funding under the grant programs. Applicants will have another opportunity to apply in the fall.

More information on the program and full lists of grant recipients are available at: www.gov.ns.ca/scs/agefriendlyComm.asp and www.gov.ns.ca/scs/positiveagingfund.asp .


Following is a list of projects in Southwestern Nova Scotia that will receive grants from the Department of Seniors:

Positive Aging

  • La Société historique acadienne de Pubnico-Ouest - West Pubnico - $10,000. Sharing your Wisdom, inter-generational seniors activities including video-taped visual and verbal histories
  • Association of Western Valley CAP Sites of Annapolis and Digby Counties - $9,970. Celebrate Our Seniors - Show and Teach workshops for knowledge transfer of seniors' skills
  • Digby Area Recreation Commission - $10,000. Inter-generational physical fitness activities, holistic health programs and seniors' socials
  • Gilbert Cove and District Historical Society - $6,498. Professionally instructed rug-hooking workshops and supplies
  • Port Saxon Leisure Hour Club - $3,312. Gentle Yoga classes for seniors
  • Regroupement des aînées et des ainés de la Nouvelle-Écosse - $10,000. Workshops and information sessions on health and well-being for seniors in the region's Acadian and francophone communities
  • Shelburne Association Supporting Inclusion - $10,000. Seniors' activities and/or training modules based on priorities as outlined in Nova Scotia' s Strategy for Positive Aging

Age-Friendly Communities

  • Municipality of the District of Shelburne - $5,000. Construction of age-friendly picnic shelter, age-friendly improvements to Welkum Park and the municipalities' four trails, as well as support for Age-Friendly Community Roadshows
  • Municipality of the District of Yarmouth - $5,000. Purchase of Duet Bicycles to provide alternative transportation incorporating an unique physical activity opportunity for seniors
  • Municipality of the District of Yarmouth - $5,000. Benches throughout the municipality to provide scenic resting areas for seniors