Alice Wong, MP

RICHMOND, British Columbia, February 3, 2012 — Member of Parliament Alice Wong (Richmond) on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today announced the Government of Canada’s pre-qualification for SunCentral Inc.’s new  innovation, The Sunlighting System, through the second round of the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP). Through this pilot program, the Government of Canada is helping Canadian businesses get their innovative products and services from the lab to the marketplace.

“Our government is focused on creating conditions to promote jobs and economic growth,” said Minister Ambrose.  “That is why we’re committed to supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who help to keep the Canadian economy moving.”

“Supporting Canada’s economy is our number one priority, and today’s announcement is great news for the workers at SunCentral Inc.,” said MP Wong. “Our Government is putting its support behind their innovation designed right here in Richmond and bringing them one step closer in moving their innovations into domestic and international markets.”

SunCentral Inc.’s innovation, The Sunlighting System, harvests sunlight from building facades and channels it horizontally, deep into each floor, via hybrid light fixtures reaching areas previously not reached by windows and skylights.

“We are honoured to be a pre-qualified innovation in the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program.  The Canadian government plays a key role in accelerating the adoption of our technology and represents an ideal proving ground for our innovative green technology,” said Tony Formby, President & CEO, SunCentral Inc..

The CICP is a $40-million pilot program launched as part of the Economic Action Plan. Successful companies may see their pre-commercial products and services tested within government operations, and will be given relevant feedback from participating departments.

CICP demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to building the jobs and industries of the future by creating the conditions for continued success of industries that are the foundation of Canada’s prosperity.

In total, 27 innovations from Canadian companies pre-qualified for funding under the CICP’s first round and 36 innovations under the second round.

The CICP is managed by PWGSC’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, whose mandate is to improve accessibility to government procurement opportunities for small and medium enterprises. Launched as part of the Government of Canada’s Budget 2010, the CICP is a new initiative to promote Canada’s economic growth.

For the complete list of the successful innovations, please refer to the backgrounder.

For more information, please visit www.buyandsell.gc.ca/innovation or look for upcoming Calls for Proposals on www.merx.com. You can also contact the CICP team by email at innovation@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca or via the toll-free line at 1-800-811-1148.

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Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For more information, media may contact:

Michelle Bakos
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.

Ottawa, Ontario, December 5, 2011— The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the appointment of a new member to the National Seniors Council (NSC) for a three-year term.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Maurice Royer as a new member of the National Seniors Council,” said Minister Finley. “His skills, knowledge and experience make him an excellent addition to the Council.”

Based in Eastern Ontario, Mr. Royer has had a distinguished career in mediation, facilitation and negotiation services. His community involvement has included serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Kingston Children’s Aid Society, and as a member of the Kingston Police Services Board.

“As Canada’s population ages, advice and assistance from the National Seniors Council is increasingly vital to policy makers,” said Minister of State Wong. “With the insight he has gained from dealing with a range of issues important to older Canadians, Mr. Royer will bring a wealth of expertise to the Council.”

The NSC is mandated to provide advice to the federal government on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of Canada’s seniors, including new opportunities and issues arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse seniors’ population.

Members appointed to the NSC bring with them unique perspectives and experiences that help the federal government understand the issues facing seniors today. The Council may comprise a maximum of 12 members, including the Chair.

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

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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

For further information (media only):

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

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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Ottawa, Ontario, December 5, 2011— The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the appointment of a new member to the National Seniors Council (NSC) for a three-year term.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Hubert P. McGrath as a new member of the National Seniors Council,” said Minister Finley. “His experience, leadership and knowledge will be valuable assets for the Council.”

Mr. McGrath had a distinguished career of more than 30 years in education, working as a principal, a teacher and an administrator. More recently, he has also served as a trustee and committee member on various community and health-care boards. Those boards include the Newfoundland and Labrador Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority, the Finance Committee for the Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority, and the Child Custody Review Committee of the Child, Youth and Family Services Division of Eastern Health.

“Advice and assistance from the National Seniors Council is vital to policy makers as Canada’s population ages,” said Minister Wong. “Mr. McGrath will bring a wealth of expertise to the Council on a range of issues that are important to older Canadians.”

The NSC is mandated to provide advice to the federal government on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of Canada’s seniors, including new opportunities and issues arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse seniors’ population.

Members appointed to the NSC bring unique perspectives and experiences that help the federal government understand the issues facing seniors today. The Council may comprise a maximum of 12 members, including the Chair.

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

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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

For further information (media only):

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

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Follow us on Twitter

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors, will host a roundtable with stakeholders to discuss elder abuse in Ottawa.

Minister Wong will be available for a photo op and to answer questions from the media following the roundtable.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

DATE:
Thursday, November 24, 2011

TIME:
11:30 a.m.

PLACE:
The Good Companions
670, Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario

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FOR INFORMATION (media only):

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

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

Burnaby, British Columbia, November 10, 2011— The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $1,569,000 in four youth employment projects. Minister Wong made the announcement at S.U.C.C.E.S.S which is receiving over $696,000 through the Skills Link Program for its youth employment program.

“For many young Canadians, it is a challenge to make the transition to the job market, especially in today’s environment,” said Minister Wong. “That is why our government is creating opportunities for youth to succeed through support for community-based employment projects.”

Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s investments in four employment projects.

With assistance from the Government of Canada, three community organizations will each deliver a Skills Link project to help over 150 youth develop the skills and experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school. In addition to S.U.C.C.E.S.S, the other two projects are:

* UFCW Local 247 will receive over $469,000 in Skills Link funding for its Discovery to Apprenticeship project.
* The Mennonite Central Committee of British Columbia will receive over $364,000 in Skills Link funding for its Youth Keep Working project.

The fourth organization, Uni‑Pro Apparel Inc., will receive $40,000 for a Career Focus project to help two post‑secondary graduates gain practical experience through on-the-job training.

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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
613-960-8717

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

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-555

Backgrounder

The Skills Link and Career Focus programs are two of three programs under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES); the other program is Summer Work Experience. YES helps young people aged 15 to 30 years, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.

Skills Link helps youth between 15 and 30 years of age who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits develop basic and advanced employment skills. Career Focus links young post-secondary graduates with potential employers who can provide them with career-related work experience and help them acquire advanced employment skills to facilitate their transition into the rapidly changing labour market.

Youth employment programs are also part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The Skills Link and Career Focus programs are delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, visit servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O‑Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.

Ottawa, Ontario, November 4, 2011—Canadians are invited to mark their calendars: National Senior Safety Week is taking place this year from November 6 to 12.

“In November, we celebrate both National Senior Safety Week and National Crime Prevention and Community Safety Month,” said the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors). “The prevention of elder abuse is about seniors’ safety and security. It is also about crime prevention and creating safe and secure communities.”

As part of the Government of Canada’s continuing commitment to combat elder abuse, Minister Wong will host a series of three round-table discussions on the issue from November 7 to 9, in western Canada. Later this month, the Government will re‑launch its successful national advertising campaign, Elder Abuse: It’s Time to Face the Reality, to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, and provide information on available support.

National Senior Safety Week is led annually by the Canada Safety Council. This year’s theme is “Safe driving for older Canadians.” Independence is a key component of healthy and active aging, and driving often contributes to that independence.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s programs and services for seniors, please visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

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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

Initiatives for Seniors

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 help Canada’s most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to the GIS for the lowest-income seniors in a quarter century. The measure will further improve the financial security and well-being of more than 680 000 seniors across Canada. It represents a $1.5 billion investment over the next five years;
* increasing funding to the New Horizons for Seniors Program this year by $5 million per year, bringing the program’s annual budget to $45 million. The Program helps seniors bring their leadership, energy and skills to benefit communities across Canada;
* 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 Canada’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;
* establishing October 1 as National Seniors Day to recognize the significant and ongoing contributions seniors make to families, communities, workplaces and society; and
* 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.

With respect to the tragic crash in Richmond of Northern Thunderbird Air Flight 204, Alice Wong stated:

“I offer my sincerest condolences to the family of Luc Fortin, pilot of the flight that crashed last Thursday. I also offer my sincerest wishes that the people on the flight and on the ground suffering injuries a full recovery from this most tragic incident.

I am aware that emergency response crews were quick to respond and before that people came out of their vehicles on Russ Baker Way to assist those in the aircraft. These people make me proud of our society and deserve Richmond’s support and commendations for their bravery.”

Toronto, Ontario, October 28, 2011—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today underscored the Government of Canada’s commitment to seniors in her address to the Annual General Meeting of CARP Canada by outlining recent action and future plans.

CARP Canada is a national, non-profit organization that set its mandate as the promotion and protection of the interests, rights and quality of life for Canadians as they age. The organization promotes social change for financial security, for equitable access to health care and for freedom from discrimination.

“Canada’s seniors have worked their entire lives to help build a better Canada,” said Minister Wong. “An aging population comes with opportunities and challenges; I am confident that Canada is uniquely equipped for the task.”

Minister Wong talked about steps the Government has taken to ensure seniors’ financial security, continued contribution and participation in their communities. She also commented on steps the Government has taken to prevent elder abuse.

More specifically, the Minister addressed two seniors-related commitments that the Government made in its Speech from the Throne last spring.

The Government has already enhanced the Guaranteed Income Supplement to help Canada’s most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to the supplement in the past quarter century. It will help the lowest-income seniors make ends meet.

The other commitment was to introduce tougher sentences for those who abuse seniors. Minister Wong said that legislation to address this issue is forthcoming.

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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 help Canada’s most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to the GIS for the lowest-income seniors in a quarter century. The measure will further improve the financial security and well-being of more than 680,000 seniors across Canada. 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 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 Canada’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;
* establishing October 1st as National Seniors Day to recognize the significant and ongoing contributions seniors make to families, communities, workplaces and society; and
* 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.

The Page Program provides young Canadians with the best seats in the country to listen to heated parliamentary debates of our nation, learn about Canadian politics first hand, as well as share this year-long phenomenal experience with fellow young Canadians from coast to coast. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will mark one of the most memorable years of your life. (Cissie Liu, former House of Commons Page)

For more information, go to http://www.parl.gc.ca/hocpage.

This year’s deadline for application is Thursday, December 22, 2011.

Ottawa, Ontario, October 21, 2011—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today highlighted the need for a common front to combat elder abuse in her welcoming remarks at a meeting hosted by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE).

“Elder abuse should be everyone’s concern and that is why our government is ensuring that Canadians are aware of the issue and can take the necessary preventative action or seek support,” said Minister Wong.

The Government of Canada awarded nearly $567,000 to the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, to develop tools to measure elder abuse, which could support the development of strategies for prevention, detection and treatment. The objectives of the meeting were to share results of the elder abuse project and establish next steps with key stakeholders.

“Our government is committed to support the well-being of seniors,” said Minister Wong. “We pledged in the Speech from the Throne that our government will do more to support our seniors, such as combating elder abuse in all its forms and raising awareness of this serious issue.”

This year, the Government increased the New Horizons for Seniors Program by $5 million per year, bringing the program’s annual budget to $45 million. A portion of this funding will support projects that expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse.

The Government of Canada is also taking action to increase awareness through its elder abuse awareness television campaign, which will air starting late November 2011.

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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
613-960-8717

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:

proposing a new Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top-up benefit to help Canada’s most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to the GISin 25 years. The measure will further improve the financial security and well-being of more than 680 000 seniors across Canada. 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 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 Canada’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

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 and continuation of its elder abuse television awareness campaign, which will air in late November 2011.

FIND OUT MORE

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