Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Ottawa, Ontario, October 21, 2011—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today highlighted the need for a common front to combat elder abuse in her welcoming remarks at a meeting hosted by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE).

“Elder abuse should be everyone’s concern and that is why our government is ensuring that Canadians are aware of the issue and can take the necessary preventative action or seek support,” said Minister Wong.

The Government of Canada awarded nearly $567,000 to the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, to develop tools to measure elder abuse, which could support the development of strategies for prevention, detection and treatment. The objectives of the meeting were to share results of the elder abuse project and establish next steps with key stakeholders.

“Our government is committed to support the well-being of seniors,” said Minister Wong. “We pledged in the Speech from the Throne that our government will do more to support our seniors, such as combating elder abuse in all its forms and raising awareness of this serious issue.”

This year, the Government increased the New Horizons for Seniors Program by $5 million per year, bringing the program’s annual budget to $45 million. A portion of this funding will support projects that expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse.

The Government of Canada is also taking action to increase awareness through its elder abuse awareness television campaign, which will air starting late November 2011.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

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

Backgrounder

Seniors-related Initiatives

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 GISin 25 years. The measure will further improve the financial security and well-being of more than 680 000 seniors across Canada. It represents a $1.5 billion investment 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 1st 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

investing $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 television awareness campaign, which will air in late November 2011.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information on what the Government of Canada is doing for seniors, visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

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