Note pour la période des questions : PROGRAMME NOUVEAUX HORIZONS POUR LES AÎNÉS : CHANGEMENTS APPORTÉS AU PROCESSUS DE FINANCEMENT DU VOLET COMMUNAUTAIRE

Les changements récents apportés à l’appel de propositions 2026-2027 pour les subventions du volet communautaire du programme Nouveaux Horizons pour les aînés a entraîné des exigences supplémentaires pour certains organismes souhaitant présenter une demande. Comment le gouvernement du Canada répond-il à cette situation ? L’appel de propositions des subventions du volet communautaire 2026-2027 du programme Nouveaux Horizons pour les aînés (PNHA) a été lancé le 2 juin 2026 et accepte des demandes jusqu’au 14 juillet 2026.

Voici de nouveaux changements importants apportés au processus de financement cette année :

Doublement du montant maximal de la subvention pour le porter à 50 000 $ par projet et plafonnement des dépenses liées à l’aide à l’immobilisation à 25 000 $.

Établissement d’un nouveau critère d’évaluation visant à augmenter le nombre de demandes présentées par des organismes dont le mandat ou la mission est principalement axé sur les aînés.

Exigence que les demandeurs aient un numéro d’entreprise de l’Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC).

Exigence que les demandeurs soumettent leur demande de financement par le portail des Services en ligne des subventions et contributions (SELSC) (les demandes soumises par d’autres méthodes seront autorisées sur demande).

Suppression de l’obligation de présenter une lettre d’appui avec la demande.

Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government of Canada creates opportunities for over 900,000 seniors every year to remain engaged and active within their communities.

We are pleased that the 2026 funding call is now open and that we are accepting applications for community-based grants until July 14, 2026.

New elements of the funding call this year reflect the importance of this program for organizations focused on seniors, and need for increased funding to deliver meaningful community impacts. 

Thank you for the additional feedback regarding the impact of new application requirements in your communities.

We are assessing the feedback with urgency to ensure that all eligible organizations can apply. Seniors’ experience and program integrity are top of mind.

IF PRESSED (Navigation supports for applicants)

The changes introduced this year aim to provide a simpler, end-to-end digital experience for applicants, while also modernizing program integrity. Every year, we collect feedback and lessons learned, and apply these to continuously improve our services.

To support organizations to apply for the NHSP community-based grant, each regional Service Canada office delivers multiple public Community Engagement sessions.

Operational staff are available to offer one-on-one support for organizations needing additional support. The Service Canada regional offices can guide organizations on how to apply and also share a step-by-step guide on how to register and use the digital portal – the Grants and Contributions Online System.

ESDC encourages organizations to apply for funding using GCOS. However, if organizations are unable to use this method, they can contact their regional NHSP office to request an alternate application process.

To contact a regional NHSP office, organizations can send their request to Contact: New Horizons for Seniors Program ‐ Community-based projects - Canada.ca

The New Horizons for Seniors Program’s community-based stream invests in projects that help improve seniors’ quality of life. Projects are led or inspired by seniors and address one or more of five program objectives. Project proposals must involve seniors in vital roles to lead, plan or deliver the project.

Since 2004, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 45,000 local community-based projects and broader-reaching Pan-Canadian projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with the Government’s total investment now surpassing $1 billion in funding.

Important new changes to the funding process have been made this year.

Doubling the maximum funding amount to $50,000 per project and capping expenditures for capital assistance at $25,000.

The maximum funding amount was previously $25,000 per project. This year, eligible organizations can apply for up to $50,000 per project. Capital assistance projects may use up to $25,000 of the total approved funding, for eligible capital expenses.

Establishing a new assessment criterion to encourage applications from organizations with a mandate or mission primarily focused on seniors.

Organizations with a mandate or mission to primarily serve seniors are strongly encouraged to apply. When ESDC assesses each application, 20% of the overall assessment will be regarding the mandate, qualification and track record of the organization.

Requiring applicants to have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.

Applicants must provide a CRA business number and a CRA document that provides proof of operations of their organization, dated within the last 2 years. Proposals that include multiple locations within an overall organization must submit one application per CRA business number. ESDC will not accept multiple applications from organizations with the same CRA Business Number and same governance structure.

Requiring applicants to submit funding applications using the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) portal (applications by other methods will be permitted upon request).

GCOS is a secure portal that allows organizations to:

apply online for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) grants and contributions;

track their application status;

submit documents online; and

manage their grant or contribution project in a secure online environment.

Removing the requirement for submitting a letter of support with the application

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate community support through application questions.

Some organizations are encountering challenges in obtaining a CRA business number. The Department is exploring these challenges to inform next steps and will work with any impacted organizations to ensure they can apply.

Funding agreements under the New Horizons for Seniors Program are managed by regional Service Canada offices. Every year applicants are invited to contact their regional NHSP office for any additional support or to register for information sessions.

“For more than 20 years, the Government of Canada has invested in communities across the country through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. I’m proud that every year, more than 900,000 seniors, through 400 communities, participate in activities that improve their quality of life.”

• The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors)