Today, the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, announced $300,000 for the 2021-22 Newfoundland and Labrador Community Transportation Program, as part of Budget 2021.
Incorporated municipalities, not for profits and Indigenous governments and communities may now apply for up to $100,000 to develop, implement and evaluate inclusive and accessible community-based transportation programs.
The deadline for applications is September 30, 2021.
Successful projects will enhance and expand community transportation services for people who experience barriers to transportation, including age, disability and geography, often in combination with low income.
Seven projects received funding through the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Transportation Program in 2020-21:
- Bay St. George South Ride for Ages;
- Connections for Seniors Handy-Ride Program;
- Flat Bay Band Inc. Mi’kmaw Nation Asuita’jik Transportation and Support Service;
- Metrobus Community Bus Service;
- Salvation Army Happy Valley – Goose Bay Corps Reaching Out to Bridge the Gap – Homelessness to Housing Emergency and Disaster Services Labrador;
- Town of Harbour Breton Coastal Community Transportation Program; and
- Twillingate – New World Island Community Wheels Project.
For more information on each of these projects, please see the backgrounder below.
Quotes
“As part of Budget 2021, we are pleased to continue to support community-based projects through the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Transportation Program. I appreciate the continued interest in the program and I am pleased that we were able to support seven projects for 2020-21. These projects have demonstrated a variety of ways to help increase healthy, active living, accessibility, and inclusion for seniors, persons with disabilities and low income individuals. I wish each of these projects great success in their communities.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“Transportation can become a serious impediment for seniors in our community, and an obstacle to living independently. As a result of funding Connections for Seniors’ transportation program, older adults experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and transportation barriers related to medical, housing and recreational needs have an ongoing, affordable means of transportation.”
Mohamed Abdallah
Executive Director, Connections for Seniors
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Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
2020-2021 Community Transportation Grants
| Applicant | Location | Proposal | Grant |
| Bay St. George South Ride for Ages | Bay St. George South | Complete repairs to the program vehicle in order to safely continue and expand the weekly services for medical appointments, prescriptions refills, groceries, and other necessities. | $23,000 |
| Connections for Seniors Handy-Ride Program | St. John’s | Establishment of a transportation program that provides seniors experiencing homelessness and those residing in community with transportation to and from medical appointments, as well as trips related to securing housing and accessing necessary services. | $40,000 |
| Flat Bay Band Inc. Mi’kmaw Nation Asuita’jik Transportation and Support Service | Flat Bay West, Flat Bay East, and St. Teresa | Establish a regional transportation network that will be accessible, affordable and safe for those with mobility needs. | $75,000 |
| Metrobus Community Bus Service | St. John’s | Continue the Community Bus Service to senior’s residences and destinations in the City of St. John’s. | $50,000 |
| Salvation Army Happy Valley – Goose Bay Corps Reaching Out to Bridge the Gap – Homelessness to Housing Emergency and Disaster Services Labrador | Upper Lake Melville | Obtain an Emergency and Disaster Services Vehicle to assist the homeless and transient populations in Happy Valley- Goose Bay by delivering food, clothing and other necessities. Vehicle will also be used in the event of an emergency in the Upper Lake Melville Area or along the Trans-Labrador Highway to support first responders. | $35,000 |
| Town of Harbour Breton Coastal Community Transportation Program | Connaigre Peninsula (Harbour Breton, Hermitage-Sandyville, Gaultois, McCallum) and Fortune Bay North (Pools Cove, Rencontre East, Belloram, St. Jacques-Coomb’s Cove, Enlish Habour West, Boxey) | Establishment of a community transportation program that will service the Coast of Bays region to assist seniors and persons with disabilities attend medical appointments, grocery shop, pick up medications and medical supplies, banking, attend social events, etc. Program will operate with a full time program coordinator and volunteer drivers. | $60,000 |
| Twillingate – New World Island Community Wheels Project | Twillingate/New World Island | Employ an outreach coordinator for the program, which is operated by an inter-sectoral committee as part of a tri-partnership with Central Health Primary Health Care team and the Twillingate and New World Island Lions Clubs. Program provides accessible transportation to seniors, individuals living with a disability/mobility issues and those who have limited or no access to transportation. | $17,000 |
| TOTAL | $300,000 |