Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Ottawa, Ontario, October 1, 2012—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), delivered opening remarks today, on the occasion of National Seniors Day, at an elder abuse awareness event organized by the Fédération des aînées et aînés francophones du Canada (FAAFC).

“National Seniors Day is an occasion to recognize seniors, and all of the valuable contributions they have made and continue to make in our communities, workplaces, families and society,” said Minister of State Wong. “On this day, the Government of Canada is proud to pay tribute to seniors and remains committed to better protecting Canadian seniors from elder abuse.”

The FAAFC received $700,000 in pan-Canadian project funding under the New Horizons for Senior Program (NHSP) to update and improve elder abuse awareness tools, create a national network of partners and train senior volunteers to facilitate awareness activities for seniors in francophone communities across the country. This is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totalling $14.6 million, that the Government of Canada announced in early summer to help increase awareness of elder abuse.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the well-being of seniors. For relevant and easy-to-access information on federal, provincial and territorial services and benefits available to Canadian seniors, please visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

Speaking notes for the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
Prévention des abus envers les aîné(e)s Fédération des aînées et aînés francophones du Canada (FAAFC)
Ottawa, Ontario
October 1, 2012

Bonjour tout le monde! Je suis contente d’être avec vous.

When I first came to Canada, I learned to speak English, and now I’m practicing the beautiful French language. By National Seniors Day next year, and with more practice, I’m hoping to be able to speak a little more français with you.

Today, I’d like to congratulate the Fédération for the outstanding job you are doing in raising awareness about elder abuse.

The initiative you have undertaken to prevent violence and abuse against seniors is quite remarkable, and the tools you are developing to increase awareness of elder abuse in francophone communities are inspiring.

Through partnerships with your member associations in the provinces and territories, you have the ability to reach francophone audiences in a very effective manner on this important issue.

Your president, Michel Vézina, has shown great resolve and determination in this area.

Michel, leaders like you are precisely the champions we need in the fight against elder abuse. Merci Michel!

As Minister of State for Seniors, I am very happy to be with you on the occasion of National Seniors Day.

October 1 is a day to recognize Canada’s seniors, and all the valuable contributions they have made, and continue to make in our communities, workplaces, families, and society.

Throughout their lives, seniors have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience and influence, which they continue to share as leaders and mentors.

Just look at the number of seniors who are actively involved in their communities.

Our government is proud to pay tribute to seniors and remains committed to supporting their well-being.

We are also committed to protecting seniors from elder abuse.

It’s always very disturbing to read the papers and find a story about seniors who have been mistreated or neglected by a family member or by someone they trusted.

Our government is committed to fighting elder abuse through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, through public awareness campaigns and through proposed legislation to amend Canada’s Criminal Code to further protect our seniors against these crimes.

We encourage innovative solutions such as the ones being carried out by the Fédération.

Today, on behalf of the Government of Canada, it gives me great pleasure to announce $700,000 in NHSP funding to support your organization.

This investment will enable the Fédération to build on the success achieved in Phase 1 of its campaign against elder abuse.

I understand that, with this funding, you will be accomplishing many important things: organizing a symposium on elder abuse; recruiting and training volunteers; developing a promotional campaign for francophone communities; and producing a documentary series on elder abuse.

All these activities will drive home the point that elder abuse won’t be tolerated.

Seniors have worked hard to build this country, and they continue to contribute to its success. For that we thank them.

But we in turn need to ensure that seniors can continue to live with dignity—free from prejudice, free from neglect and free from abuse.

We owe it to them.

Before I leave you, I would like to tell you about one of my other priorities—to help seniors stay active, engaged and informed. I believe these are the keys to seniors’ well-being.

Please visit our website, seniors.gc.ca, for more information.

Again, on behalf of our government, I would like to wish you all a happy National Seniors Day.

Merci!

Filed under: News, Seniors