A slew of news came down the wire from Kootenay-Columbia Member of Parliament David Wilks over the last few weeks. Most notably, on behalf of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Wilks announced a contribution of up to $24,920 to restore the Invermere Plaza Cenotaph, erected in honour of those who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.

Planned restoration work includes replacing the cenotaph base, levelling the terrain and repairing damaged soil and sods, installing replacement benches and flagpoles, improving accessibility through landscaping and creating a garden area within the plaza.

Funding for this project is provided through Veterans Affairs Canada’s Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program, through which the government works with community groups and local organizations to ensure memorials and cenotaphs are conserved to the highest standard.

“Helping community groups restore local memorials is one way our Government is working to ensure young Canadians and their families will learn about and remember the sacrifices of our Veterans,” said Wilks in a release.

In other news, Wilks is encouraging groups who work to promote the well-being of Canada’s seniors to apply for federal funding under the newly introduced New Horizons for Seniors Program. Qualifying organizations can receive up to $25,000 per year by addressing one or more of the programs five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. The application deadline for community-based projects is June 29, 2012. For more information about the call for proposals, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

Finally, Wilks was honoured to be elected treasurer of the Canada Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association on May 15. “I look forward to continuing my involvement with Canada Taiwan and in my new position as treasurer,” said Wilks.