Speech from Minister Jean-Yves Duclos: Fédération de l’âge d’or du Québec (FADOQ)

Orford, Quebec
June 13, 2018
Check against delivery.

Dear guests,

Hello everyone.

It’s such a pleasure to join you today!

First, allow me to respectfully acknowledge that we are currently gathered on the traditional lands of the Abenakis.

As you know, I am the minister in charge of most programs that directly affect seniors. I am therefore YOUR minister.

I would like to start off with a quote by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “Seniors have a lasting and life-changing impact on us all. They raise and mentor succeeding generations, pass on important lessons, and help us learn to care for our world and each other. ”

Based on demographic projections, the number of seniors will increase and seniors will represent about 23% of the country’s total population in 2031, compared to 17% in 2016.

Seniors will also live longer, be healthier and be more active in our society.

We all hope they will be living in safety and dignity.

Income Security

As of 2015, the new Canadian government committed to offering Canadian seniors a more secure retirement thanks to a plan to grow the economy and strengthen the middle class.

To do this, we brought the eligibility age for Old Age Security (OAS) back down to 65 years, instead of 67, thereby preventing 100,000 seniors from living in severe poverty.

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) was also enhanced for our most vulnerable seniors, with an increase of up to nearly $1,000 per year for seniors living alone.

The Canadian government recently announced that it was extending automatic enrolment for the Old Age Security program to include the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which allows 17,000 seniors to be automatically enrolled every month as of their 64th birthday.

Since our government wants to ensure that all seniors entitled to the Guaranteed Income Supplement receive it, in 2017 we mailed 80,000 letters to seniors who were potentially eligible for the GIS, and 48,000 of those seniors received this supplement. Between February and March 2018, 93,000 letters were mailed to seniors who may be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

I would like to thank FADOQ for agreeing to work with Service Canada to improve receipt of GIS benefits and strengthen communication tools for seniors.  

In addition, in order to increase income security for tomorrow’s seniors, the Canadian government substantially enhanced the Canada Pension Plan, and Quebec then enhanced the Québec Pension Plan.

Affordable Housing

On top of financial security, our government also aims to ensure that every senior has safe and affordable housing.

In the 2016 budget, we invested $200 million over two years, which substantially improved the housing conditions of 6,200 senior households in Canada, including nearly 1,200 in Quebec.

In November 2017, we also launched Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy.

This strategy will ensure that 530,000 Canadians, including seniors, have access to housing that meets their needs.

Our government has also invested considerably in public transportation, which will significantly benefit seniors across Canada.

Health

Our government has also invested $5 billion to improve mental health support for Canadians, and $6 billion for home care.

Since December 2017, we have also implemented a new special employment insurance benefit for family caregivers, including those caring for seniors. Lasting 15 weeks, it will benefit 24,000 families.

Social Inclusion

The Canadian government also supports the social participation of seniors by continually improving and funding the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the primary goal of which is to reduce the isolation and mistreatment of seniors, as well as support their social participation.

I would like to mention that the current call for proposals is open until June 22, 2018.

Conclusion

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge and highlight the fundamental work of the FADOQ network in support of our seniors, and in support of the deliberations and actions of the Canadian government.

I would also like to congratulate you on the brief presented to the parliamentary committee on the national seniors strategy.

The report was sent to the National Seniors Council, which will analyze it and submit its recommendations to government.

Our government is always attentive to our seniors’ needs, and it’s in continuing to work together that we can better help seniors to actively contribute to our society and to live in dignity.

Thank you and enjoy the conference!