Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Oct. 18, 2011) – Today, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), joined Mr. Jean-Guy Soulière, Chair of the National Seniors Council (NSC), in announcing the release of the Council’s Report on the Labour Force Participation of Seniors and Near Seniors and Intergenerational Relations.

“I want to thank the members of the National Seniors Council for their thorough examination of two issues of importance to older Canadians,” said Minister of State Wong. “Along with my colleagues, Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, I look forward to reviewing their report carefully.”

“The Council was honoured to meet with a number of seniors, organizations and experts across Canada over the past year,” said Mr. Soulière. “Our report points to many keen observations we heard about supporting seniors and near seniors who want to participate in the labour force, and promoting positive relationships between different generations of family members, co-workers and community members.”

The National Seniors Council’s next priorities will be announced following the appointment of new Council members.

For more information on the Council or to view its newest report, please visit www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca. To obtain further information regarding the Government’s programs and services for seniors, please visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

Contact Information

Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of Minister of State (Seniors)
819-953-1144

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

Backgrounder

The Government of Canada created the National Seniors Council (NSC) in 2007 to provide advice on all matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors, including the opportunities and challenges arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse seniors’ population.

• The Council reports to the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, in light of her responsibilities with respect to seniors, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, whose portfolio reflects the importance of health-related issues for older Canadians.
• The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Council.
• NSC members include seniors, representatives of organizations that serve seniors and/or experts on seniors and aging.
• The NSC advises the Government of Canada on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors.
• Since 2007, the NSC has undertaken work on elder abuse, low income among seniors, volunteering among seniors, and positive and active aging. As part of that work, the Council convened roundtable meetings across Canada with seniors, seniors’ organizations and other stakeholders. These consultations help the Council develop recommendations on how the Government of Canada can support seniors.
• The Government of Canada’s action on elder abuse demonstrates that the NSC’s efforts are making a difference. In 2009, the federal government launched a national awareness campaign, Elder Abuse — It’s Time To Face the Reality.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has taken action on many issues important to seniors, including:

• 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 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 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;
• introducing a new GIS top-up benefit in Budget 2011 to help Canada’s most vulnerable seniors, which will further improve the financial security of more than 680 000 seniors across Canada; 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.

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