Alice Wong, MP

Richmond, British Columbia, October 1, 2011—To mark Canada’s first National Seniors Day, Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond and Minister of State (Seniors) today celebrated seniors at her constituency in Richmond.

Coinciding with the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons, the Government of Canada established National Seniors Day as an opportunity for Canadians to pay tribute to the contributions that seniors make to their families, communities, workplaces and society.

“National Seniors Day is an occasion to celebrate Canadian seniors,” said Alice Wong. “Especially in the City of Richmond, where people have the longest life expectancies across all of Canada. Today, we recognize the many contributions seniors have made and we thank them for continuing to be mentors and leaders in our communities.”

For tips and resources to celebrate the seniors in your life, or for more information on National Seniors Day and the Government’s programs and services for seniors, please visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

- 30 -

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Robert Lynch
Director, Communications
Office of Minister of State Wong
613-960-8717

Backgrounder

National Seniors Day is one of a number of initiatives that the Government of Canada has undertaken in recent years. In the most recent federal budget last June, the Government introduced the following:

• a new Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top-up benefit to help Canada’s most vulnerable seniors;

• $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program, bringing the program’s total 2011–2012 budget to $45 million; and

• $50 million over two years to extend the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers until 2013–2014.

The Government of Canada has brought about a number of initiatives in support of seniors:
• providing 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 Budget 2009 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 fall-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.