Back to the press releases
Government announcement
26 January 2018

More than $9.5 million to promote the wellbeing of Quebec seniors


TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC, January 26, 2018.—In order to financially support the activities and initiatives that promote the participation of seniors in the development of their communities and to better adapt living environments to their needs, the Government of Quebec is investing $9,518,741 as part of the Québec ami des aînés (QADA) program and the support program for the Municipalité amie des aînés (MADA) initiative.

This was announced today by Francine Charbonneau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying, in the company of Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and MNA for Laviolette, and Jean-Denis Girard, MNA for Trois-Rivières.

This sum will help support the 66 new projects subsidized by the QADA program and the 178 municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs) associated with the MADA initiative in developing or updating of their policies and municipal action plans benefitting seniors.

Quotes

The funding announced today will make it possible to implement several inspiring projects throughout Quebec and to adapt seniors’ living environments in several regions in order to better their quality of life. Our government believes that promoting the active participation of seniors in society contributes to their wellbeing, in addition to benefitting all of society. The amount allocated will advance the achievement of tangible actions on a local, regional and province-wide scale, to make Quebec a society for those of all ages.

– Francine Charbonneau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying

I would like to congratulate all the organizations in the region leading projects that meet seniors’ needs. I would also like to acknowledge the municipalities and the RCMs that place the wellbeing of people at the core of their concerns. I thank them and encourage them to continue on this path, as they help seniors thrive and encourage seniors to get involved in the communities of our region.

– Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and MNA for Laviolette

I’m delighted that the Gazette de la Mauricie is receiving $17,275 and that the Maison de quartier St‑Philippe is receiving $11,403 to fulfill initiatives to benefit seniors. This is a testament to their constant efforts to contribute to the wellbeing of older residents. I’m proud of the initiatives taken by these organizations in the riding of Trois‑Rivières.

– Jean-Denis Girard, MNA for Trois-Rivières

Key facts:

Québec ami des aînés

  • The QADA program is primarily intended for non-profit organizations offering services and activities to adapt living environments to seniors’ needs, with the goal of allowing seniors to continue living at home, in their communities, in healthy, safe and welcoming environments.
  • It also promotes the participation of seniors in the social, economic and cultural development of their communities.
  • The two components of the program support 66 projects:
    • The support for experimental, action research or implementation projects component supports province-wide projects. It is intended for non-profit organizations that offer activities benefitting seniors and for research centres and institutes. In 2017-2018, $3.9 million was granted for the implementation of 13 projects;
    • The support for community actioncomponent supports non-profit organizations that carry out projects responding to seniors’ needs on a local or regional scale. These projects may arise from ideas in the action plans of municipalities or RCMs associated with the Municipalité amie des aînés initiative, in particular. In 2017-2018, 53 new projects were funded and will receive a total of $4.3 million.

Support program for the Municipalité amie des aînés initiative

  • The support program for the MADA initiative offers funding to municipalities and RCMs that commit to adopt or update a policy and plan of action in support of seniors with the aim of adapting their interventions, services and structures to the aging of the population.
  • For example, a municipality can commit to increase its range of leisure activities, adapt urban furniture, review its transportation services or even promote the construction of lodgings responding to the needs of the people who live there.
  • In 2017-2018, investments of close to $1.3 million were granted by the program:
    • 168 municipalities and 10 RCMs throughout 13 regions received a total of $1,025,388;
    • The Carrefour Action municipale et Famille received $259,900 for technical support for the municipalities and RCMs taking part in this initiative.
  • Since 2009, 899 municipalities and RCMs have undertaken a MADA initiative and have received more than $13 million.
  • Today, 91.4% of the Quebec population live in an “ami des aînés” municipality or RCM, which makes Quebec the most advanced society in the world in the application of this approach advocated by the World Health Organization. The approach aims to optimize opportunities regarding the health, participation and safety of seniors in order to increase their quality of life.

Related links

You may also like