Alice Wong, MP

TORONTO, March 15, 2012 — The Government of Canada announced today the introduction of legislation which will help ensure that sentencing for crimes against elderly Canadians reflects the significant impact that crime has on their lives. The announcement was made by the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada; along with the Honourable Alice Wong, M.P. for Richmond and Minister of State (Seniors); and Robert Goguen, M.P. for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice.

““Our Government has a responsibility to protect elderly Canadians and to ensure that crimes against them are punished appropriately,” said Minister Nicholson. “This legislation will help ensure tough sentences for those who take advantage of vulnerable members of our society.””

““This legislation would further support our Government’s common front to combat elder abuse in all forms,” said Minister of State Wong. “Elder abuse will not be tolerated. Our Government is committed to ensuring that Canadians are made aware of this serious issue and that they have the necessary information and support to take action and help prevent abuse.””

Under the proposed amendment to the Criminal Code, evidence that an offence had a significant impact on the victims due to their age – and other personal circumstances such as health or financial situation – would be considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes.

The amendment would ensure a consistent application of sentencing practices that treat the abuse against individuals who are vulnerable due to their age and other personal circumstances seriously. The Criminal Code already contains similar measures that denounce the abuse of vulnerable persons. For instance, it states that the abuse of a person under the age of eighteen is an aggravating factor at sentencing.

““The interests of law-abiding citizens should always be placed ahead of those of criminals,” said Parliamentary Secretary Goguen. “Our Government will continue to honour our 2011 platform pledge to protect our seniors.””

The Government addresses elder abuse in a number of ways, including its elder abuse awareness campaigns and the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which includes projects to increase awareness. In 2011, the Government increased its investment in the New Horizons for Seniors Program by $5 million per year, bringing the program’s annual budget to $45 million.

More information about elder abuse can be found at www.seniors.gc.ca.

Backgrounder: Elder Abuse Legislation

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Ref.:

Julie Di Mambro
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
613-790-0219

Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559

On March 8, 2012, Alice Wong answered one question about seniors during question period. The following is a transcript:

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, a shocking 46.5% of elderly Canadian women live alone in poverty. This is double the poverty rate for elderly men in Canada. Seniors’ poverty particularly touches aboriginal and immigrant women.

Will the government implement a real strategy to fight poverty and make reforms to our pension system to lift all senior women out of poverty?

Hon. Alice Wong (Minister of State (Seniors), CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the fact remains that our government is working hard for all seniors. It was our government that introduced a low tax plan that removed thousands of seniors from the tax rolls completely. It was our government that introduced pension income splitting and the largest GIS increase in a quarter century. It was her party that voted against all of these.

Canadians know that they can count on this government to deliver for seniors.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, March 6, 2012— Today, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced the National Seniors Council’s new priority for 2012: seeking employers’ views on how to retain and attract older workers specifically those who are most vulnerable.

“It is important that the Council speak to employers about their views on the challenges and opportunities of an aging workforce,” said Minister of State Wong. “Input from the Council’s engagement activities will provide the Government of Canada with valuable information to help shape policies, programs and services that support older Canadians.”

Last year, the Council examined labour force participation of seniors and near-seniors, and intergenerational relations. The work of the Council this year is expected to build on that momentum by talking to employers about the challenges and opportunities posed by an aging workforce and seeking best practices from employers in recruiting and retaining older workers.

The National Seniors Council advises the Government of Canada on current and emerging issues and opportunities related to the quality of life and well being of seniors, both now and in the future.

Since 2007, the Council has undertaken work on elder abuse, low income among seniors, volunteering among seniors, positive and active aging, labour force participation among seniors and near seniors, and intergenerational relations.

For more information on the Council, please visit www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca.

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

Victoria, British Columbia, March 2, 2012—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors, hosted a round table event today with local seniors’ organizations from theVictoria area. This event, hosted by the Centre on Aging,University ofVictoria, 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 round tables, our government is engaging key stakeholders to discuss elder abuse and other important seniors‑related issues.”

It is estimated that between 4 and 10 percent 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 campaign and a component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program that provides grants to increase awareness.

The outcome of these round table 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.