Thanks, MP Long, for that question.
I have very fond memories of visiting your riding. I really appreciate the leadership that was shown there. I am very optimistic. It's reflected in a number of parts of the country as I travel and see groups coming together and taking proactive action in order to better serve the needs of seniors in their communities. In your particular case, you had the firefighters going in and checking the houses to ensure that the fire alarms were working—that opportunity to engage with seniors. That's happening across the country. It's fantastic, as the Minister of Seniors, to witness that first-hand.
With the two items you raised, the GIS is extremely important. What our government has done is focus on assisting those who are most vulnerable, most in need. The GIS increase was targeted at the most vulnerable single seniors. That increase was up to $947 per year. That has had a positive impact on 900,000 seniors across the country and has lifted 57,000 seniors out of poverty.
As I travelled and engaged not only with seniors, but also with organizations that work with seniors and family members, income security was something that came up, so I think that initiative was a tremendous step for our government.
I could take the rest of the meeting's time to talk about the new horizons for seniors program. This program is second to none. It's absolutely fantastic. I think all members around this table have probably experienced first-hand the benefits of these investment dollars.
I see the chair has given you two minutes.
Let me be brief. To see these investment dollars in action, the difference that it's making in the lives of seniors, is absolutely tremendous. There are things like intergenerational connections being established and seeing the magic that happens when seniors and youth come together. There are gardens being created, maybe for immigrants who are living in apartments and don't have the ability to have their own garden, and then that food is distributed within the community.
Additionally, we have the pan-Canadian...but I would mention specifically the community-based projects. The difference they are making is so important, as is the supplemental help that comes as a result of that. It's not only those investment dollars. It's seeing volunteers and others come around and help enhance those programs. It's absolutely fantastic.