Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Ottawa, Ontario, October 3, 2011—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today participated in the Mayor’s Seniors Summit organized by the City of Ottawa and hosted by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.

“Seniors represent a diverse and growing population, playing a significant role in building a stronger Canada,” said Minister Wong. “They deserve our support and we are working hard to improve their quality of life.”

The Mayor’s Seniors Summit provided an opportunity for seniors to come together to discuss what the City of Ottawa is doing for seniors and to provide ideas about ways to improve services. This Summit is part of a larger project that will culminate in a new older adult action plan for the City of Ottawa in 2012.

Minister Wong, alongside Mayor Watson, addressed attendees. She highlighted the work the Government of Canada is doing for seniors as well as her role in overseeing the work of the National Seniors Council and co-charing the Forum of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors.

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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
613-790-0219

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:

* introducing a new Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top-up benefit to helpCanada’s most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to theGISin a quarter century. The measure will further improve the financial security and well-being of more than 680,000 seniors acrossCanada. 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 throughCanada’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 $387.9 million over two years underCanada’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
* providing $13 million over three years in Budget 2008 to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, and to provide information on available support.

Filed under: News, Seniors