News release

Province Funds Community Groups, Municipalities to Support HRM Seniors

Seniors (Oct. 2007 - Aug. 2021)

NOTE: A list of projects receiving grants in Halifax Regional Municipality follows this release.


Seniors in north end Halifax will soon be able to work on their creative writing and drum their way to community diversity as part of a culture and heritage project.

The project by Northwood Community Centre in Halifax is one of 59 -- including nine in Halifax Regional Municipality -- 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 Halifax Regional Municipality that will receive grants from the Department of Seniors:

Positive Aging

  • Society for Healthy Communities: Sunrise Manor, Halifax - $10,000. Kitchen renovations, hot breakfast program and various indoor social activities
  • Spencer House Seniors Centre - $9,417. Our Lived Experiences (ROLE): Seniors' life experience portfolio development course
  • The Friendly Group of Senior Citizens, Oakfield/Waverly - $9,772. Workshop activities with lunch for seniors and bus trips to encourage social interaction and recreational activities
  • Seniors of Upper Hammonds Plains Club - $6,300. Inter-generational basic computer and internet literacy course, quilting and scrap-booking workshops, community Natal Day Games tournament and BBQ
  • Sackville Seniors Advisory Council - $10,000. Inter-generational weekly indoor carpet bowling, Seniors on the Move, and keyboard for Choral Group The Silver & Golden Voices
  • Northwood Community Centre - $6,075. French cultural and heritage exchange, drumming circle, creative writing program for seniors
  • North End Walkers - North End Community Health Centre - $4,193. Inter-generational walking program
  • B.L.T. Rails to Trails - Beechville to Hubley - $8,950. Nordic walking program, and training seniors to guide other seniors in a walking activity

Age-Friendly Communities

  • Municipality of East Hants - $5,000. Carpet Bowling physical activity for seniors