Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 12, 2013—As part of Fraud Prevention Month, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to combat elder abuse and financial fraud by funding projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). She made the statement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, at an event held today to announce funding for the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia.

“Elder abuse, including financial abuse, is a serious issue that must be addressed,” said Minister of State Wong. “During Fraud Prevention Month, the Government of Canada is reaffirming its commitment to protect the well-being and security of Canadian seniors by supporting activities to prevent elder abuse and financial fraud.”

The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) will receive over $180,000 to develop educational resources that will help health care professionals better understand elder abuse, including financial fraud. Through on-line educational tools or workshops, health care providers in Nova Scotia will learn how to identify possible cases of elder abuse, as well as how to help seniors and their families. The resources will be shared with other organizations across Canada.

“The generous support of the Government of Canada for this project helps us build on the work we have been doing with seniors and their families to address financial and other senior abuse,” said Maria Franks, Executive Director of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. “This funding enables us to develop tools that will help health care professionals to identify signs of abuse and seniors who are abused to get assistance.”

Fraud Prevention Month is an annual education campaign to improve awareness and understanding of the dangers of fraud, so that Canadians can protect themselves in the marketplace and avoid becoming victims of fraud. To report instances of fraud, Canadian consumers and businesses can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through its website at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

This is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totaling $14.6 million, announced on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The Government also invested more than $35.6 million in NHSP funding for over 1 900 new community-based projects across Canada approved through the 2011–2012 call for proposals. For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

Vancouver, British Columbia, March 8, 2013 — Seniors in Vancouver have benefited from more social opportunities and learned new skills, thanks to support from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience seniors contribute to our society and the economy,” said Minister of State Wong. “Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking action to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities.”

The Oakridge Seniors’ Society received $17,926 to purchase computers, which the Oakridge Seniors’ Centre used for an Internet café program. In partnership with Eric Hamber Secondary School and the Canadian Flowers for Food Society, the Centre also started an English conversation club and a flower arrangement class.

“The funding from the Government of Canada is allowing us to empower seniors in our community,” said Niels Andersen, President, Oakridge Seniors’ Centre. “We have seniors into their eighties and nineties who are coming to our Centre to learn computer skills and improve their English conversation skills. As a result, their interests have widened and their self-esteem has soared.”

The Government invested more than $35.6 million in NHSP funding for over 1 900 new community-based projects across Canada, approved through the 2011–2012 call for proposals. For more information, 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 make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences for the benefit of others. Since it began, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

NHSP funding is available for both pan-Canadian and community-based projects.

Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing or identifying tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada to address elder abuse. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year, for up to three years.

Community-based project funding provides support for activities that are inspired or led by seniors and address one or more of the program’s five objectives. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding.

For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors

OTTAWA – On behalf of the Government of Canada and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, Minister of State Alice Wong today joined International Women’s Day celebrations at Ottawa’s Chinese Community Services Centre. Canada’s 2013 theme is Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women.

“The Harper Government is committed to eliminating violence against women and girls,” said Minister Ambrose. “Our government has been working with communities to improve the safety and security of women – funding hundreds of projects across Canada to end violence against women and girls.”

International Women’s Week takes place this year from March 3 to 9, with International Women’s Day on March 8. Canada’s theme this year reflects the reality that far too many women and girls face violence, or the threat of violence, in their daily lives and everyone must be part of the solution to ending it.

“I am pleased to join with everyone celebrating International Women’s Day at Ottawa’s Chinese Community Services Centre. As we recognize the tremendous contributions of women and girls to our families and communities, let us also recommit to their safety and security as key elements of their success and prosperity,” said Minister of State Wong.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government’s support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, from $10.8 million to close to $19 million, its highest level ever. Since 2007, close to $57 million dollars in funding has been approved for projects to end violence against women and girls.

Vancouver, British Columbia, January 17, 2013—Seniors in Vancouver will benefit from easier access to activities at the Evelyne Saller Centre, thanks to support from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), made the announcement today.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience seniors contribute to our society and the economy,” said Minister of State Wong. “Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking action to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities.”

The Evelyne Saller Centre is receiving close to $12,000 for the installation of automatic door openers to improve accessibility for seniors with mobility issues and other members of the community. The project is a response to a request by seniors in the area. Local seniors and veterans with disabilities are helping to oversee the project.

“This initiative will support the social participation and inclusion of seniors,” added Minister of State Wong.

“I wish to thank the Government of Canada for its generous support, which allowed us to install automatic door openers at the Evelyne Saller Centre,” said Erika Di Salvo, Assistant Manager, Evelyne Saller Centre. “This grant allows seniors and people with disabilities in the Downtown Eastside greater independence by providing easier and safer accessibility throughout the Centre and the Veterans Memorial Manor.”

The Government invested more than $35.6 million in NHSP funding for almost 2000 new community-based projects across Canada approved through the 2011–2012 call for proposals. For more information, 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 make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences for the benefit of others. Since it began, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

The most recent call for proposals for community-based projects was launched on May 8, 2012. It closed on June 29, 2012, in all provinces and territories except Quebec, which closed on September 14, 2012, and coincided with a provincial call for proposals.

ETOBICOKE, January 14, 2013 –The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Alice Wong, M.P. for Richmond and Minister of State (Seniors), welcomed yesterday’s coming into force of the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act.

“Our Government is ensuring that crimes against our elderly are punished appropriately,” said Minister Nicholson. “Elder abuse is disgraceful and appalling; the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act will ensure tougher sentences for those who take advantage of these vulnerable members of our society.”

“This legislation further supports our Government’s existing action to eliminate elder abuse in all forms,” said Minister Wong. “Elder abuse will not be tolerated. Our Government continues to ensure that Canadians are made aware of this serious issue and that they have the necessary information and supports for preventative action.”

The Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act better protects seniors by ensuring tougher sentences for those who take advantage of elderly Canadians. Under the amendments to the Criminal Code, evidence that an offence had a significant impact on the victims due to their age – and other personal circumstances such as their health or financial situation – will now be considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes.

The Government addresses elder abuse in a number of ways, including its elder abuse awareness campaigns and the New Horizons for Seniors Program. In 2011, the Government increased its investment in this program, which includes projects to increase elder abuse awareness, by $5 million per year, bringing its annual budget to $45 million.

More information about elder abuse can be found at www.seniors.gc.ca.

An online version of the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act is available at www.parl.gc.ca.

Ottawa, Ontario, December 7, 2012 — Older workers are a valuable resource, offering their experience and wisdom to Canadian society and to the economy. The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), reiterated this message when she addressed the National Seniors Council (NSC), as well as employers, experts and academics, on issues related to an aging workforce.

“Our government values the important contributions that seniors make in our communities as well as in our workplaces,” said Minister of State Wong. “We are working hard to improve the lives of seniors on many fronts, including helping them stay active, engaged and informed.”

From June to October, the NSC consulted with a variety of employers to discuss its 2012 priority, seeking their views on how to attract and retain older workers, specifically those most at risk of withdrawing from the labour force or becoming unemployed. Today’s national roundtable marks the conclusion of the consultation process and serves to validate what was heard from employers. The NSC will submit a final report to Ministers in spring 2013.

The Government of Canada is committed to the overall well-being of seniors and thus established the National Seniors Council in 2007 to provide advice on current and emerging issues and opportunities related to the quality of life and well-being of seniors, both now and in the future. For more information on the Council, please visit www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca.

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

Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 16, 2012 — This week, Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors examined the opportunities and challenges facing Canada’s seniors. At the meeting, in addition to exchanging ideas on promoting the well-being of Canada’s seniors, Ministers reviewed recent collaborative work and agreed on priorities for the year to come.

Canadians are living longer, healthier, active and rewarding lives, with an increasing number of seniors choosing to remain in their own homes or communities. Ministers discussed ways to further improve seniors’ access to information and ongoing participation within their own communities and recognized that housing, accommodation and living arrangements are important issues for a growing seniors’ population.

“Our Government values the contributions that seniors continue to make to this country and is working hard to improve their lives on many fronts,” said the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and federal co-chair of the meeting. “The progress achieved at this Seniors’ Ministers meeting builds on the collaborative work undertaken by all governments and provides some very tangible resources that support seniors in staying active, informed and engaged as contributing members of their communities.”

“Nova Scotia remains committed to providing seniors with programs and services that support their own efforts to live healthier, safer and more affordable lives” said the Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister of Seniors for the Province of Nova Scotia and meeting co-chair. “By listening to seniors and working together with our partners, we will make sure seniors have supports in place that respond to their changing needs.”

Ministers also explored options to encourage Canadians to plan for their future, stay engaged within their communities, access the information and services available to them, and to learn more about the role technology plays in facilitating these objectives. Ministers also discussed ways to support older workers who are also caregivers.

Ministers agreed to move forward on the following priority areas: supporting the active participation of seniors, particularly older workers, who are balancing both work and elder care responsibilities; assisting seniors in planning for “aging in place” including living arrangements; and improving Canadians’ access to needed information through technology.

Ministers were pleased to approve several age-friendly resources, including a guide for employers to support a diverse and inclusive workforce by engaging older workers in the workplace, and an information pamphlet to help seniors and near seniors plan for aging in place[1]. F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors will reconvene in the Northwest Territories in 2013 to review progress and identify new priority areas to help meet the needs of seniors.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Mark Wall
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
613-617-7993

Toby Koffman
Nova Scotia Department of Seniors
902-483-5847
koffmatg@gov.ns.ca

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

[1] While Québec shares the concerns of other governments regarding population aging it does not subscribe to, or take part in, integrated pan-Canadian approaches in this field and intends to fully assume its responsibilities for seniors in Québec.

Guelph, Ontario, November 8, 2012—As part of Financial Literacy Month and National Senior Safety Week, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to combat elder abuse and financial fraud by funding projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This announcement was made today at Immigrant Services Guelph–Wellington.

“Elder abuse, including financial abuse, is a serious issue that must be addressed,” said Minister of State Wong. “By supporting elder abuse and financial fraud prevention activities, the Government of Canada is helping to protect the well-being and security of Canadian seniors.”

Immigrant Services Guelph–Wellington received $247,000 to raise awareness of elder abuse and financial fraud using the peer-support model, and it is building a framework that can be reproduced by organizations to engage older adults who are at risk and hard to reach.

This is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totalling $14.6 million, which were announced by Minister of State Wong on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2012. The NHSP helps ensure that seniors are able to benefit from, and contribute to, the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living.

For more information on the NHSP, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Nov. 6, 2012) – Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Honourable Alice Wong, M.P. for Richmond and Minister of State (Seniors) welcomed the passing in the House of Commons of Bill C-36, the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act. The legislation aims to better protect seniors by helping ensure tough sentences for those who take advantage of elderly Canadians. Bill C-36 will now move to the Senate.

“I am pleased that the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act passed in the House of Commons today, and encourage my colleagues in the Senate to support this important piece of legislation aimed at protecting our seniors,” said Minister Nicholson. “Crimes against our most vulnerable citizens should not be tolerated, and this Bill ensures that perpetrators would be punished appropriately.”

“Our Government is committed to ensuring the well-being of Canadian seniors and we remain dedicated to ending elder abuse in all its forms,” said Minister Wong. “The passing of this important legislation further supports on-going action by our Government to combat elder abuse.”

Under the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, evidence that an offence had a significant impact on the victims due to their age – and other personal circumstances such as their health or financial situation – would be considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes.

The amendments would ensure a consistent application of sentencing practices that treat the abuse against individuals who are vulnerable due to their age and other personal circumstances.

The Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act was introduced on March 15, 2012.

The Government addresses elder abuse in a number of ways, including its elder abuse awareness campaigns and the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which includes projects to increase awareness. In 2011, the Government increased its investment in the New Horizons for Seniors Program by $5 million per year, bringing the program’s annual budget to $45 million.

More information about elder abuse can be found at www.seniors.gc.ca.

Ottawa, Ontario, November 6, 2012—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors, today met with local seniors’ organizations to discuss ways that seniors can stay informed, engaged and active.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the well-being of seniors,” said Minister of State Wong. “We believe their well-being depends on their staying active, staying engaged and staying informed.”

Minister of State Wong emphasized the importance of active living at any age. She explained that opportunities for seniors to remain active are not limited to physical activity. They include being engaged and active in the workplace, in volunteer organizations and in communities. She also spoke about the importance of seniors staying informed so they can take full advantage of the wide range of government programs and services available to them.

“The Government of Canada’s website, seniors.gc.ca, is a key resource for seniors,” said Minister of State Wong. “The website provides relevant and easy access to information on federal, provincial and territorial services and benefits available to Canadian seniors.”

The outcome of these round table discussions will help inform the direction of future government policies and programs on seniors’ issues.