Question Period Note: SUSPECTED CHINESE POLICE STATION PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED FEDERAL FUNDS

Group suspected of hosting Chinese 'police station' received federal funds.

NHSP funding support projects activites that engage seniors in their communities, such as volunteering, mentoring and social participation.  

Employment and Social Development Canada holds no current agreement with the two organizations in question.

Once we became aware of reports of allegations against the organizations, the Department immediately reviewed the files and confirmed that the funds were used for the intended purposes outlined in their agreements.

When necessary, the Department will invoke the relevant provisions of an agreement to quickly address any issue identified, which may include requiring the organization to return any inappropriately used funds. Our department conducts a range of monitoring activities on all projects to ensure that funding recipients achieve their committed outcomes. This includes reviewing finances, the project activities, and the results. The provision of false and misleading information would affect eligibility and funding.

The Centre Sino-Québec de la Rive Sud was allocated a New Horizons for Seniors Program project resulting from the 2020-21 call for proposals, and was funded at $25,000.   

The project: “Le service de soutien virtuel” (017451303) was as follows: In the context of the current health crisis, this project aims to improve the living conditions of seniors in vulnerable situations, meet some of their basic needs, prevent situations of inequality and counter the psychosocial effects resulting from social isolation. This support will take place through 12 virtual workshops that will promote social activities, training and the dissemination of strategic information in multiple languages.

The project met all NHSP screening criteria regarding:  

Application received before the closing date  

Eligible recipient  

At least one program objective met  

All documents received  

Eligible activities  

Seniors’ leading and/or vital role in project planning and/or delivery  

Based on the above-indicated criteria the project was approved for funding.

In addition, the organization was allocated a New Horizons for Seniors Program project resulting from the 2020 COVID-19 call for proposals, and was funded at $25,000.   

Service à la Famille Chinoise du Grand Montréal was allocated $25.000 under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) grant project that started in August 2020 and ended in March 2021. The objective was to provide training to seniors in the Chinese community in Quebec to support their ability to use new communication technologies effectively, conscientiously and safely in order to maintain their contact with the community and their families.

The project met all NHSP screening criteria regarding:  

Application received before the closing date  

Eligible recipient  

At least one program objective met  

All documents received  

Eligible activities  

Seniors’ leading and/or vital role in project planning and/or delivery  

Based on the above-indicated criteria the project was approved for funding.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help foster social inclusion and improve seniors’ health and well-being.  

NHSP funding helps support projects that engage seniors in their communities, such as volunteering, mentoring and social participation.  

Since its introduction in 2004, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) has funded over 36,000 projects in hundreds of communities across the country.