Budget 2017 provided for further historic investments in mental health, but also in home care. We are very happy about that. We recognize that seniors want to stay at home as long as possible and maintain their independence. They do not want to go to homes if it is not necessary, but to stay in their own homes they need help and support services. With the $6-million investment over 10 years, we are providing provinces and territories with additional funding to ensure that seniors have access to resources in their homes.
Budget 2018 provided $75 million for a research project for seniors in New Brunswick. This province was chosen because it is small, with 750,000 inhabitants. There is a bilingual population as well as an indigenous population.
We created this pilot project. Organizations can apply for funding to establish community programs. I will give you an example. The first project, entitled "Nursing Homes Without Walls", was approved last week and will be conducted in Moncton, in my region.
Four nursing homes in four rural areas of the province are part of this pilot project. These are often very isolated places. These homes will hire additional staff to provide seniors with home care services to ensure that they take their medications, eat well, have their nails clipped and even have their yard cleared. Aside from the results expected from this pilot project, we will be able to share the results of this experience with the other provinces. We look forward to seeing the results.
The issue of seniors is a priority for me. We recognize that the population is aging and that we need to care for the elderly, who have cared for us in the past.