London, Ontario, February 24, 2012—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), hosted a roundtable event today with local seniors’ organizations from the London area. The event was part of a series of cross-Canada consultations to discuss key issues that matter to seniors in the area.
“The Government of Canada is committed to the well-being of Canadian seniors,” said Minister Wong. “Through these roundtables, the Government of Canada is engaging key stakeholders to discuss elder abuse and other important seniors‑related issues.”
It is estimated that between four and 10 per cent of Canadian seniors experience some form of elder abuse. The Government of Canada is taking action to increase awareness of this issue through its elder abuse awareness campaigns and a component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program that provides grants to increase awareness. The most recent instalment of the elder abuse awareness campaign is running during the month of February.
The outcome of these roundtable discussions will help inform the direction of future government policies and programs on elder abuse and seniors’ issues.
For more information on what the Government of Canada is doing for seniors, visit seniors.gc.ca.
This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
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For further information (media only):
Robert Lynch
Director, Communications
Office of Minister of State Wong
613-960-8717
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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The Government of Canada is working hard to help improve the lives of seniors on many fronts. These efforts include:
- proposing a new Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top-up benefit to help Canada’s most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to the GIS in 25 years. The measure will further improve the financial security and well-being of more than 680,000 seniors across Canada. It represents an investment of $1.5 billion over the next five years;
- providing $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program in Budget 2011. This enhanced support will further the program’s objectives by funding a greater number of projects. The program helps seniors use their leadership, energy and skills to benefit communities across Canada;
- providing Canadians with close to $72 billion this year through Canada’s public pension system;
- providing $2.3 billion annually in additional tax relief to seniors and pensioners through measures such as pension-income splitting and increasing the age credit;
- providing $400 million over two years under Canada’s Economic Action Plan for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors;
- supporting positive and active aging through the collaborative Age-Friendly Communities Initiative, Physical Activity Tips for Older Adults, and falls-prevention initiatives;
- appointing a Minister of State (Seniors)—someone who can bring the concerns of older Canadians to the Cabinet table and stand up on their behalf;
- establishing October 1 as National Seniors Day to recognize the significant and ongoing contributions seniors make to families, communities, workplaces and society;
- creating the National Seniors Council in 2007 to provide advice to the federal government on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors; and
- an investment of $13 million over three years in support of the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI), which successfully concluded on March 31, 2011. Building on the momentum created through the FEAI, which featured an awareness campaign, the Government of Canada remains active in addressing elder abuse through the New Horizons for Seniors Program and continuation of its elder abuse awareness campaigns.
