CANADIANS ARE INVITED TO SHARE THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE 2012 FEDERAL BUDGET

Ottawa, June 27, 2011 –

Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance is inviting Canadians to participate in its annual pre-budget consultation process. The Committee will invite witnesses to appear at hearings in Ottawa and in the communities indicated below. The results of our consultations, including our recommendations, will be tabled in the House of Commons in December 2011. The suggestions by Canadians and by the Committee will be considered by the Minister of Finance in the development of the 2012 federal budget.

Experience has shown that, following a financial crisis, economic stagnation may occur. Although Canada did relatively better that most industrialized countries during the recent global financial and economic crisis, the nation’s economic recovery is likely to be affected by a range of global and domestic factors and uncertainties: the fragile recovery in the United States, high levels of debt in some European countries, natural disasters, the withdrawal of fiscal stimulus measures, the impact of a strong Canadian dollar on various sectors and the rising indebtedness of Canadian households, among others.

In this context, and bearing in mind the fiscal situation of the federal government, the Committee is interested in receiving the views of individuals and groups about four primary issues: how to achieve a sustained economic recovery in Canada, how to create quality sustainable jobs, how to ensure relatively low rates of taxation, and how to achieve a balanced budget. In particular, the thoughts and suggestions of Canadians about how to attain high levels of job growth and business investment in order to ensure shared prosperity and a high standard of living for all are being sought.

If you wish to appear before the Committee during the pre-budget consultations, please send an email to the Clerk of the Committee no later than Friday, July 29, 2011 and indicate three locations where you are willing to appear. The individuals and groups invited to make a presentation to the Committee will be contacted by the Committee Clerk, on behalf of Committee members, no later than the third week of September.

The deadline to submit the accompanying written brief is no later than Friday, August 12, 2011 in order that the brief can be translated and distributed to Committee members. You are able to submit a brief even if you do not wish to appear before the Committee. Briefs should be no longer than five pages in length, should include an executive summary, should contain a maximum of three recommendations that reflect your most important federal tax or program spending priorities, and should – where possible – indicate the expected federal cost of your proposal and/or ideas on areas in which federal spending could be reduced.

In the event that briefs contain more than three recommendations, or three recommendations that contain a number of parts, only the first three recommendations or the first part of a multi-part recommendation will be considered by the Committee.

The July 29, 2011 and August 12, 2011 deadlines must be respected in order for the Committee to plan its work; consequently, exceptions are not possible.

The Committee hopes to hold public hearings in the following cities:

* Whitehorse, Yukon
* Prince Rupert, British Columbia
* Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
* Windsor, Ontario
* Toronto, Ontario
* Montreal, Quebec
* St. John’s, Newfoundland
* Moncton, New Brunswick

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For more information, please contact:
Guyanne L. Desforges, Clerk of the Standing Committee on Finance
Tel: 613-992-9753
E-mail: FINA@parl.gc.ca

SUPPORTING CANADA’S SENIORS

Minister of State (Seniors) Alice Wong today will highlight that more than 680,000 of Canada’s lowest-income seniors will now benefit from the most significant increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in 25 years. The GIS increase is the latest measure the government has taken to support Canada’s seniors.

Since 2006 the government has provided over $2.3 billion in annual tax relief for seniors and pensioners, removed 380 000 seniors from the tax rolls completely, introduced pension income splitting, ushered in an automatic renewal of the GIS, made significant investments in affordable housing for low-income seniors and doubling the pension income credit.

As pledged in the Speech from the Throne, the government will also combat elder abuse in all its forms and raise awareness of this serious issue.

The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers has been extended, and mandatory retirement age for federally-regulated employees has been eliminated, giving seniors who want to remain active in the workforce the freedom to make that choice.

The government received a strong mandate from Canadians to improve seniors’ quality of life. Alice Wong is working hard to ensure that policies, programs and services continue to provide opportunities for seniors to improve their well-being and quality of life.

HAMILTON, ONTARIO — Today, Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors agreed to focus on four priorities by working with their respective provincial, territorial and federal colleagues. These priorities are: championing innovative responses to the needs of seniors in the areas of living arrangements and housing, and transportation; identifying and helping to prevent elder abuse, especially financial abuse; promoting active participation in the community through employment or volunteering; and improving access to government services and benefits.

The Ministers tasked senior officials to advance work on these priorities and report back to them.

The Ministers shared their respective best practices to address the opportunities and challenges of an aging population. They also agreed to take leadership to support the well-being of Canada’s seniors, and agreed on future priorities to guide their work.

“I welcome the opportunity to meet for the first time with my provincial and territorial colleagues,” said the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and federal co-chair of the meeting. “These discussions contribute to our efforts to both anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of an aging society.”

“I am honoured to have hosted and co-chaired this year’s meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for seniors in Hamilton, Ontario,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister Responsible for Seniors for the Province of Ontario. “It has been a very productive meeting and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues across the country to help ensure that our seniors are able to remain healthy, active and safe in their communities.”

Ministers reviewed research on housing and support services that help seniors to age in the place of their choice and within age-friendly communities. They also discussed their shared concern regarding all forms of elder abuse, and agreed on the importance of addressing this issue. Their talks centred on the prevention of financial abuse, one of the most commonly reported forms of elder abuse.

Seniors make up a growing proportion of our population. In fact, the first of the baby boomers turn 65 this year and, in 25 years, nearly one in four Canadians will be a senior. With this demographic shift in mind, the Ministers looked at the range of perceptions, values and needs among seniors and near-seniors.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

Robert Lynch
Office of Minister of State Wong
819-953-1144

Melissa Zanette
Office of Sophia Aggelonitis
Minister Responsible for Seniors

Province of Ontario
416-565-4074

Media Relations Office
Development Canada
819-994-5559

Media Advisory: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), and Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister of Revenue and Minister Responsible for Seniors, will speak at a press conference following the 13th Meeting of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors.

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

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

DATE:
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

TIME:
5:15 p.m.

PLACE:
Hamilton Convention Centre
Room 207
1 Summers Lane
Hamilton, Ontario

Contact Information:

Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of Minister of State Wong
613-790-0219

Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559

Government of Canada Launches Call for Proposals for Seniors’ Projects

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – June 20, 2011) – The Government of Canada is seeking projects that will enable seniors to participate in social activities, pursue active lives and contribute to their communities.

Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), launched a call for proposals under the enhanced New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

“Seniors are valuable members of society who have a diversity of skills, knowledge and experiences,” said Minister Finley. “The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan announces enhancements to the New Horizons for Seniors Program that will improve quality of life and expand opportunities for older Canadians.”

“As baby boomers retire, they are looking for new and meaningful ways to stay active in their communities,” added Minister of State Wong. “By tapping into their own life experiences, seniors are helping to educate others and improve the quality of life in their neighbourhoods.”

The program has been enhanced to allow a broader range of organizations to develop a greater variety of projects that meet the changing needs of communities. Through this call for proposals, the program will support community-based projects that address one or more of the program’s five objectives: promoting volunteerism, mentoring, elder abuse awareness and social participation, and providing capital assistance for new or existing projects and programs for seniors.

Organizations can apply for grants of up to $25,000. The application deadline is September 16, 2011.

The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Budget 2011, provides an additional $10 million over two years to the NHSP, bringing the program’s 2011–2012 budget to $45 million.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For more information on the program enhancements, please visit: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

Backgrounder

New Horizons for Seniors Program

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal Grants and Contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who are making a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Since its beginning, the Program has funded more than 8,500 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

In the past, the program has funded projects through three separate funding streams: Capital Assistance, Community Participation and Leadership and Elder Abuse Awareness. Rather than fund projects through these three distinct streams, the program will now support those that meet one or more of the program’s five objectives. The five objectives are:

1) promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations;

2) engaging seniors in the community through the mentoring of others;

3) expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;

4) supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors; and

5) providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.

As in previous years, community-based projects will be eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding per year for projects that meet one or more of the program objectives.

Organizations can also apply for pan-Canadian project funding when there is an open call for proposals. This funding is for larger projects that can provide support for networking, developing and delivering education and awareness activities, and creating tools and resources to help seniors protect themselves from elder abuse, including fraud and financial abuse. Eligible projects may receive up to $250,000 per year in grant or contribution funding for up to a maximum of three years.

The Honourable Diane Finley and the Honourable Alice Wong will launch the call for proposals for the New Horizons for Seniors Program

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), will launch the call for proposals for the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Ministers Finley and Wong will be available for a photo op and to answer questions from the media following the announcement.

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

DATE:
Monday, June 20, 2011

TIME:
10:00 a.m.

PLACE:
Ottawa Chinese-Canadian Heritage Centre
397 Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario

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FOR INFORMATION (media only):

Ann Matejicka
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

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

Government of Canada Marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – June 15, 2011) – The Government of Canada is joining countries around the world to collectively speak out against elder abuse and mark today as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

“Elder abuse is happening in communities across Canada. It takes many different forms, such as financial exploitation, physical and emotional abuse, and neglect,” said the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors). “Regardless of the type of elder abuse, it happens far too often.”

“Any form of abuse is unacceptable and should not be tolerated,” added Minister Wong. “We need to create an environment where people will take action against this serious issue.”

Building on the momentum created through the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative, which featured an awareness campaign, the Government of Canada remains active in addressing elder abuse through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Budget 2011 provides $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. A call for proposals under the program is expected to launch soon. Elder abuse awareness will be included as a funding objective.

The Government of Canada is furthering its commitment to address elder abuse, as the recent Speech from the Throne proposed.

To learn more about the Government of Canada’s initiatives to increase awareness of elder abuse visit, www.seniors.gc.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada to order a brochure.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

Backgrounder

On June 15th, countries around the world mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). WEAAD was first declared in 2006 by the World Health Organization and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) to bring attention to the abuse and neglect that older adults experience.

In Budget 2008, the $13 million Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI) was launched to provide a focused and coordinated federal approach to combat elder abuse by raising awareness and developing resource materials for front-line professionals who provide support and services to seniors. The FEAI successfully concluded on March 31, 2011. The three-year interdepartmental program was led by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and operated in partnership with the Department of Justice, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The Government of Canada continues to support elder abuse prevention through the New Horizons for Seniors Program and national and regional projects to raise awareness and combat elder abuse and by improving the knowledge of elder abuse and neglect in Canada.

The Government of Canada is working hard to help improve the lives of seniors on many fronts. These efforts include:

• providing Canadians with an estimated $72 billion this year through Canada’s public pension system, including the Budget 2011 proposed increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement for Canada’s lowest-income seniors;
• 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;
• 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; 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.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s seniors initiatives visit www.seniors.gc.ca or contact 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). For people using a teletypewriter device (TTY), call 1-800-926-91 05.

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – June 10, 2011) – The Honourable Alice Wong, the newly appointed Minister of State (Seniors), offered her best wishes to seniors across British Columbia in commemorating BC Seniors Week, June 5–11.

“Canada’s seniors have such a positive impact on so many lives, acting as vibrant mentors and leaders,” said Minister of State Wong. “Events such as BC Seniors Week offer us the chance to recognize the many ways they enrich our communities.”

Minister of State Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond, was appointed to the federal cabinet on May 18 2011, as the advocate for seniors’ issues in the Government of Canada.

To ensure the well-being and high quality of life for seniors who have given much to the province and the country, the federal government is working with Canada’s seniors, and its provincial and territorial counterparts.

“On May 2nd, our government was given a strong mandate to ensure that our priorities reflect Canadians’ values and what matters most to Canadians. This means standing up for those who helped build Canada,” added Minister of State Wong.

We appreciate the occasion to celebrate BC Seniors Week and also look forward to the recently established National Seniors Day, to be celebrated every year on October 1st.

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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

For further information (media only):

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

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

The following picture was taken on June 1 of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and most of the BC Caucus, supporting the Vancouver Canucks and their quest to the Stanley Cup!

On more parliamentary matters, the government caucus had their inaugural meeting on June 1. The election for the Speaker of the House is on June 2, and the Throne Speech by Governor General David Johnston is on June 3, and the budget presentation by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will be on June 6.

On the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General, by proclamation on Saturday, March 26, 2011, dissolved the Fortieth Parliament and gave instructions to issue writs of election. Monday, May 2nd, 2011 has been set as the polling day.

As such, this website will not be maintained until after May 2, 2011.