Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

On March 10, 2015, Alice Wong spoke in the House of Commons during Question Period on the topic of Seniors. The following is a transcript:

[Translation]

Mr. Massimo Pacetti (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, Ind.):
Mr. Speaker, according to a study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, pension income splitting benefits the wealthiest seniors disproportionately.

Of the families that benefit from this tax break, only 10% of the wealthiest benefit fully, at a cost of $1.2 billion per year, while 70% of seniors enjoy no benefit at all from this measure. It is clear that the government has no plan whatsoever for seniors living below the poverty line in Canada.

When will the Minister of State for Seniors do something for seniors who really need help?

[English]

Hon. Alice Wong (Minister of State (Seniors), CPC):
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to seniors’ poverty, our government has a record of which we can be proud. Canada has one of the lowest seniors’ poverty rates in the world thanks in part to our actions, which include removing thousands of seniors from the tax rolls completely, making significant investment in affordable housing for low-income seniors and introducing the largest GIS increase in a quarter century.

The other parties would take away the pension splitting for our seniors. That is something we will never allow to happen.

Minister highlights Government support for seniors including income splitting

March 6, 2015 – Abbotsford, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) met today in Abbotsford with seniors’ organizations as well as service and health providers to highlight the Harper Government’s family tax cuts and benefits and to discuss issues facing seniors in Canada. The roundtable was hosted by the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade.

In her remarks, Minister Wong highlighted programs and activities designed to raise awareness and address the social isolation of seniors. She also outlined supports and initiatives to help caregivers.

She also underscored the over $2.8 billion in annual tax relief to seniors and pensioners, through implementing pension income splitting and introducing the largest top-up to the Guaranteed Income Supplement in several years. These changes to income security programs have given older Canadians more choice and flexibility in regards to life, work and retirement.

Quick Facts

• The Government is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ health, well-being and contributions by encouraging them to stay active, engaged and informed.
• In September, the Government of Canada released the Government of Canada Action for Seniors report, a comprehensive information resource highlighting federal programs and services, which can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers at Canada.ca/Seniors.
• Today, 1 in 7 Canadians is aged 65 or over. By 2036, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be a senior.
• Over the last decade in Canada, life expectancy at age 65 increased by 2 years, approximately twice the rate of growth observed over each of the previous decades since 1929.

Quotes

“Canadian seniors have played a central part in building this country. They have earned our respect and admiration, and they deserve our support to help them enjoy the best quality of life possible. That’s why our Government provides more than $2.8 billion in annual tax relief to seniors and pensioners across Canada, which has led to one of the lowest rates of poverty among seniors in the world.”

– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

“I’m proud of our Government’s accomplishments in supporting Canadian seniors in their communities. We will continue to work with organizations across Canada to improve the lives of seniors and make independence a reality for them. Together, we can promote seniors’ health and well-being by encouraging them to stay active, engaged and informed.”

– The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Seniors

Seniors in Canada (Facebook)

New Horizons for Seniors Program helps seniors across Canada lead more productive and rewarding lives

February 27, 2015– Toronto, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today that seniors across Canada will soon have new opportunities to put their energy, experience and leadership skills into action and make a difference in their communities. The Government of Canada has approved over 1,850 New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) community-based projects across Canada. These projects, selected from the NHSP’s 2014–2015 call for proposals, will help seniors to participate in a wide range of local programs and activities.

Joined by John Carmichael, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, Minister Wong made the announcement at the Toronto-based For You Telecare Family Service (FUTFS) organization to highlight the NHSP and its ongoing support of seniors programs in hundreds of communities from coast to coast to coast.

The FUTFS is receiving $20,000 in NHSP funding for its project, Empowering Members by Reconnecting Accessible Community Engagement (EMBRACE). Seniors will help plan and deliver this project, which aims to strengthen connections among seniors volunteer groups active in the Korean community. The project will sponsor a mentorship workshop and generate new senior ambassadors to promote the EMBRACE project. An estimated 200 seniors will participate in the project. The FUTFS conducts counselling, training, workshop and outreach activities to help provide guidance and support to immigrant community members.

Quick Facts

• Under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), up to $25,000 in grant funding can be provided to eligible organizations for community-based projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 increased funding for the NHSP by $5 million per year, for a total of $50 million provided to this program annually.
• Since 2006, $2.8 billion in annual tax relief has been provided to seniors and pensioners.
• The Government of Canada launched the Government of Canada Action for Seniors report in September 2014. The report is a new information resource highlighting federal programs and services that can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers. It was created in collaboration with more than 22 federal departments and agencies. The report can be found on Canada.ca/Seniors.

Quotes

“Our Government is proud to work with organizations across Canada that promote seniors’ participation in meaningful community projects and help keep seniors active, engaged and informed. For You Telecare Family Service’s project exemplifies how we can continue to support the social inclusion of seniors. Through initiatives like the NHSP and the collective efforts of organizations dedicated to building resilient communities, we are working together to ensure seniors lead more productive and rewarding lives.”

– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

“As the Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, I have made it a point to ensure that seniors issues are at the top of my agenda. Seniors in my constituency know well that I am committed to serving them.”

– John Carmichael, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West

“We are pleased to receive Government of Canada support through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which will help with our Empowering Members by Reconnecting Accessible Community Engagement (EMBRACE) project. Through EMBRACE, existing senior volunteer groups and leaders from the Korean community will be educated in how to use leadership and managerial strategies effectively. They will be able to apply acquired knowledge and skills through connecting with their groups and peers, strengthening the functionality and operations of their groups.”

– Suyeon Jin, Executive Director, For You Telecare Family Service (FUTFS)

Associated Links

• New Horizons for Seniors Program
• Canada.ca/Seniors
• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors
• Economic Action Plan 2014

On February 24, 2015, Alice Wong spoke in the House of Commons on a take-note debate on the rise of anti-Semitism.  The following is a transcript:

Hon. Alice Wong (Minister of State (Seniors), CPC):
Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my hon. colleague from Mount Royal for his remarks. I know that he has worked very closely with the Minister for Multiculturalism over the years on the issue of combatting anti-Semitism.

Could the hon. member describe his own experience in working on this important issue with the government and with the Minister for Multiculturalism in particular? Could he highlight some of the accomplishments that resulted from this co-operation?

Hon. Irwin Cotler:
Mr. Chair, we had, I believe, members from all parties and all sides working together to establish the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism. The Minister for Multiculturalism played an important role, which reference was made earlier. From that we both went to London for the London Conference Against Anti-Semitism in 2009. The minister was there. He played a central role in the 2010 Ottawa Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism.

In both London and Ottawa, we adopted important declarations and protocols, and the minister referred to them this evening.

I will conclude by saying that I take this to be a shared objective and a shared engagement by members of all parties. The time has come to sound the alarm about this globalizing hatred, which is the canary in the mine shaft of global evil.

Canadian Fencing Federation receives funding from the Government of Canada to host the Peter Bakonyi World Cup 2015

February 13, 2015 – Richmond, British Columbia – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament (Richmond), on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced the Canadian Fencing Federation is receiving funding of $40,000 through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program for the Peter Bakonyi World Cup 2015, which is taking place from February 13 to 15.

Quick Facts

• In 2014–2015, Sport Canada is contributing up to $90,000 through its Hosting Program to the Peter Bakonyi World Cup 2015 ($40,000) and the Pan American Junior Championships ($50,000).
• The Government of Canada contributed $429,000 to the Canadian Fencing Federation in 2014–2015 through Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program.
• For the period of October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, Sport Canada will provide up to $233,000 through the Athlete Assistance Program to support 20 fencing athletes and para-athletes with living and training expenses and special needs.
• The Canadian Fencing Federation is a non-profit, amateur sport association and the national governing body of fencing. It includes 10 provincial fencing associations, which in turn represent over 200 local clubs from coast to coast. Its mandate is to establish, develop and support fencing in Canada and to represent Canada on the international scene.

Quotes

“The Peter Bakonyi World Cup 2015 is a unique international sporting event that Canada is proud to host during the Year of Sport. It is an amazing opportunity for our epee athletes, coaches and officials to show their talent on home soil as they prepare for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games and the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. We are pleased to help make this event possible.”
—The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

“National sport organizations are essential to Canada’s success as a leading sport nation, and the Canadian Fencing Federation plays a crucial role in developing high-performance athletes to represent us on the international scene. We invite Canadians from the area to come and witness the exploits of some of our best fencing talent.”
—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament (Richmond)

“The Peter Bakonyi World Cup 2015 will be a highlight of international fencing in North America this year. Thanks to the funding and support of the Government of Canada and the excellent partnership between the British Columbia Fencing Federation, Canadian Fencing Federation, City of Richmond, Richmond Olympic Oval, Hosting BC and the host Dynamo Fencing Club, the best fencers on the planet will compete in front of Canadian fans for glory and world ranking points.”
—Igor Gantsevich, Co-Chair, Peter Bakonyi World Cup 2015

Associated Links

• Sport Canada
• Fencing Canada
• Peter Bakonyi World Cup 2015

The following is a transcript:

Gung Hay Fat Choy. Laureen and I would like to offer our warmest greetings to all Canadians celebrating the Chinese New Year. The arrival of the year of the sheep is a special time; a time of family, fellowship and the giving of gifts. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past year and above all, a time to look forward with optimism, to peace, prosperity and success in the year to come.

I congratulate all Chinese Canadians on the remarkable role you have played and continue to play in our country’s heritage and development. Your abilities, energy and initiative have helped build Canada and whatever our roots, wherever we come from, Canada is a country we share and we can all be proud of. May you have a healthy, happy and prosperous year of the sheep.

February 11, 2015– Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), highlighted the Government of Canada’s work to tackle the social isolation of seniors in Canada during remarks delivered today at the University of British Columbia.

Social isolation is commonly defined as a low quantity and quality of contact with others. A situation of social isolation involves few social contacts and few social roles, as well as the absence of mutually rewarding relationships.

Social isolation touches many aspects of seniors’ lives, including access to information and services, active participation in the community, healthy aging, income security and caregiving. Social isolation can lead to depression and increased vulnerability to elder abuse, among other concerns.

In her remarks, Minister Wong encouraged communities to take a coordinated approach to address the social isolation of seniors. The Government of Canada has a number of programs and activities aimed at creating awareness and addressing the impact of this growing issue.

These programs and activities include initiatives like the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) pilot projects on social isolation, the recent report of the National Seniors Council, and their ongoing work which will include a focus on examining ways to encourage local communities to reach out to socially isolated seniors. The social isolation of seniors is also one of the priorities to be examined this year by the Forum of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ health, well-being and contributions by encouraging them to stay active, engaged and informed.
• Today, 1 in 7 Canadians is aged 65 or over. By 2036, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be a senior.
• Over the last decade in Canada, life expectancy at age 65 increased by 2 years, approximately twice the rate of growth observed over each of the previous decades since 1929.
• In 2014, the National Seniors Council was asked to assess the impact of social isolation on seniors in Canada and explore ways to prevent, or reduce it. The Council presented a report that highlighted the importance of working with those who deliver services and programs directly to seniors.

Quote

“Social isolation affects seniors’ economic, social, physical and mental well-being. It’s an issue that is both pervasive and difficult to resolve. But it is also preventable. I am confident we can address the isolation of seniors through social innovation. Social innovation succeeds by combining resources from governments, businesses, community organizations and academics to generate new ideas and tools that address social problems in new ways.”

– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Seniors

National Seniors Council

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum

Vancouver, British Columbia, February 11, 2015

Check against delivery

Hello, everyone.

It’s my pleasure to be here today.

I am always impressed when I see a group like this together in one room.

It’s a visual reminder of our shared purpose and passion—helping others to live well.

To feel healthy, happy and safe.

To contribute to those around us.

And in turn, to feel the sense of belonging and security that a supportive community brings.

Unfortunately, life can put obstacles in our way.

Especially as we get older.

Social isolation is one of them.

It’s an issue that is both pervasive and difficult to resolve.

But the answer is both simple and yet complex. It comes down to a fundamental truth in life—people need people.

Over the past three years, I’ve been speaking with seniors, seniors’ organizations and other stakeholders across the country.

They have made it clear that social isolation is an issue that demands our attention. This is especially true in the context of our aging population.

Canada is facing a major demographic shift.

Right now, more people are over 60 years of age than there are children under 5. By 2050, seniors will outnumber children under 15.

Just the other day, I read a rather startling prediction. The Office of the Chief Actuary said that 5 of every 10 Canadians who are now aged 20 can expect to live until the age of 90.

Of course, this is good news. But the fact is, we’re going to have more and more seniors in Canada. And unless we take action now, the issue of social isolation will become more prevalent.

What do I mean by the social isolation of seniors?

Social isolation is commonly defined as low quantity and quality of contact with others.

Being socially isolated involves few social contacts and few social roles, as well as the absence of mutually rewarding relationships.

It can cause communities to suffer a lack of social cohesion, and suffer the loss of experience that older adults bring to our families, neighbourhoods and communities.

On an individual level, social isolation affects seniors’ economic, social, physical and mental well-being.

As everyone in this room knows, over time, older people can lose meaningful contact with their friends, family and community for a range of reasons.

For all seniors, aging is a series of transitions. Some transitions are planned, while others are not.

For anyone, senior or not, losing a spouse, a change in income, or an illness can be a major, life-changing event.

Most of us would have our hands full simply keeping up a daily routine after something like this.

It’s a somber irony that going through events like this can damage the social networks we have, even when we are most in need of their support.

Even something like losing the ability to drive can drastically change someone’s life.

If you can’t drive, walk or take a bus to go to an appointment or meet some friends, it’s easy to lose touch with your community.

Dealing with illness, or any sort of loss of independence, can cause a social disconnect.

There are clear links between health and social isolation. For seniors, being part of a social network has a positive influence.

For example, it can encourage seniors to stay physically and mentally active.

Without a social network, seniors run a higher risk of having health issues.

They’re more likely to drink and smoke, remain sedentary and eat poorly.

To add to that, the risk of hospitalization of isolated seniors is four to five times greater.

These are serious consequences. Unfortunately, it does not end there.

Apart from the physical health risks, social isolation also threatens mental wellness.

It is associated with higher levels of depression and suicide.

In fact, one in four seniors lives with a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or dementia.[1]

Approximately half of Canadians over the age of 80 report feeling lonely. And sadly, men over 80 have one of the highest suicide rates of all age groups.[2]

Social isolation can also leave seniors vulnerable to elder abuse, including financial abuse.

As you can see, social isolation is a common denominator among a whole range of issues that affect the well-being of seniors.

It is a problem we can’t ignore.

While difficult to pinpoint, we do know that back in 2006 over 30 percent of Canada’s seniors were at risk of social isolation.

In 2008, 19 percent of Canadians aged 65 or over said they felt a lack of companionship, left out or isolated from others.

As I said before, social isolation is complex and pervasive. But it is also preventable.

That’s why we are taking coordinated action to tackle this issue head on.

We are collaborating to align the priorities of the National Seniors Council and the New Horizons for Seniors Program to work together to address the social isolation of seniors.

I am also pleased to say that the Forum of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors has chosen to explore the issue of social isolation as a priority for this upcoming year.

Last year, the National Seniors Council was asked to assess the impact of social isolation on seniors in Canada and explore ways to prevent or reduce it.

The Council consulted over 300 stakeholders, including seniors, community organizations and academics,[3] and presented a report on their key findings. If you have not yet had an opportunity to review this excellent report, together with a companion review of relevant literature on this issue, I would encourage you to do so.

The report highlighted the importance of working with those who deliver services and programs directly to seniors.

This year, I have asked the Council to continue their work on this issue and further examine barriers that prevent communities and seniors from reaching out to each other.

And I have asked them to examine ways to encourage communities to reach out to socially isolated seniors in their neighborhoods.

Friends, we want to help communities to build stronger relationships with socially isolated seniors in their midst.

And by bringing Canadian citizens, volunteers, organizations and seniors together, we will reduce the social isolation of seniors in their communities.

Along with the National Seniors Council, and the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Forum of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors has also made social isolation one of its main priorities for this upcoming year.

This Forum brings together Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior officials from the federal, provincial and territorial governments who are collaborating to promote the interests of Canadian seniors.

By collaborating together, we are working to find innovative solutions to address social isolation among seniors, including those living in rural and remote communities.

I look forward to sharing our progress on the Forum’s activities with you.

Next, I would like to talk about the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

The vast majority of the New Horizons for Seniors Program is devoted to community‑based grants of up to $25,000. This year we will fund more than 1,800 of these grants in communities from coast to coast to coast.

However, a much smaller portion of the New Horizons for Seniors Program is devoted to larger projects with a longer duration. These are sometimes called “pan‑Canadian” grants, and they are typically connected by a broad theme, such as elder abuse.

Last year, we did a call for proposals for pilot projects on the issue of social isolation, and we learned a great deal. We increased the upper limit of the contribution agreements, and in appropriate circumstances we allowed them to be funded into a second or third year. We also began to incorporate some of the elements of what is sometimes called “social innovation” into the process—such as fund leveraging and sustainability planning.

The results have been very good, but disconnected. What I mean by that is that each of these good projects has proceeded independently of each other. They have not had the benefit of sharing what they have learned, nor have their efforts been in any way coordinated. The result is that, while again I must stress that the pilot projects have been very good individually, their collective social impact is modest.

But that is why we run pilot projects—to learn how to improve.

And today I am pleased to announce that for the next five years, at least, the broad theme of the pan-Canadian stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program will be focused upon reducing the social isolation of seniors in their immediate communities.

I am also pleased to announce that we will be working with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. The McConnell Foundation, and their Innoweave initiative, will work with the Government to bring together successful applicants in a sharing network, to measure progress against established metrics, to gather what we learn and to suggest adjustments along the way.

The McConnell Foundation and its Social Innovation Generation partners will also provide advice to the Government in the context of the selection process, with a view to curating the projects to maximize social impact.

We are very excited about this new partnership. I am hoping to see more applications for projects that show the creativity and flexibility I have mentioned.

We are hoping to see projects that take new approaches—or that take old ones and use them in new ways.

We are hoping to see projects that are challenging us to use the considerable wealth of knowledge, tools and compassion we have at our disposal so that we can do something great. And to do it in a way we haven’t tried before.

It is time to shake up our existing ideas and approaches and let some new ones in.

It is time to allow ourselves to approach issues in different ways.

And it might mean flipping some ideas on their heads to be able to see them differently.

And it absolutely means opening ourselves up to creativity, flexibility and the willingness to look for inspiration everywhere—even if it’s outside our discipline.

Steve Jobs said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Therefore, as leaders, innovation is more than an asset quality—it’s a requirement.

I expect many of you may be thinking that this isn’t an area where big bureaucracies excel.

And, in some ways, you’d be right.

Which is why I’m excited that our Government is playing a leading role in bringing together partners from various sectors.

Social innovation succeeds by combining resources from governments, businesses, community organizations and academics to generate new ideas and tools that address social problems in new ways.

What we are trying to do is bring together the various citizens, volunteers, organizations and governments—that are separately seeking to address this issue—and try to facilitate a more coordinated approach, with a view to increasing our collective effectiveness in tackling this complex social problem.

As Minister of State responsible for Seniors, I want to see all Canadian seniors enjoy a high quality of life. And richness of life cannot occur in solitude and isolation from one’s community. We are inherently relational. We are born into communities and we cannot live without them.

Whereas in generations past, the elderly would live together with their adult children, and enjoy their fellowship each day—this is no longer our culture. Tragically, a growing number of seniors live alone, cut off from their neighbors—despite their geographical proximity.

The fact is that the social isolation of Canada’s seniors is nothing less than a tragedy, with real consequences for our society, young and old alike.

But friends, this is a problem that can be solved. The medicine is community. The medicine is fellowship. Cups of tea, visits, walks, conversations.

On a grassroots level, in our communities, it is really a question of knowing who our neighbours are, and acting like Canadians—by taking a little time to check in on seniors living alone in our immediate communities. How to affect that outcome is our present task.

Working together, with all of the creativity and innovation that we collectively possess, I am confident that we can make progress in addressing this complex problem, and bring light and life into the lives of socially isolated seniors.

Thank you.

[1] http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/issues/seniors

[2] http://www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca/eng/research_publications/social_isolation/page05.shtml#h2.1-3.1

[3] http://www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca/eng/research_publications/social_isolation/page04.shtml

Toronto-based AGE-WELL network will look to new technology for better senior care

January 19, 2015 – Toronto, Ontario – Industry Canada

Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), on behalf of her colleague, the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced that AGE-WELL, a new network, is receiving $36.6 million over five years to help seniors live independently and safely at home.

Through a collaborative approach with industry partners, not-for-profit organizations and researchers, AGE-WELL will identify the needs of seniors and find ways to reduce the burden on their caregivers. The network will use advanced technology such as mobile communications, smart sensors and robotics to help achieve this goal. AGE-WELL will contribute to increasing the independence and quality of life of older Canadians while creating more affordable technologies that meet Canadians’ needs.

Today’s investment is the result of the most recent competition in the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program. The competition resulted in four new networks receiving funding, which includes AGE-WELL, and one existing network being renewed for a second five-year term.

NCEs mobilize a critical mass of expertise from across the country, bringing together health, natural and social scientists as well as engineers. Partners from industry, government and the not-for-profit sector contribute additional expertise and support.

Quick facts

• On December 15, 2014, the Government of Canada named five research networks to conduct groundbreaking research that is focused on addressing major social, economic, or health- and life sciences–related issues:
  • New
    • Aging Gracefully across Environments using Technology to Support Wellness, Engagement, and Long Life—AGE-WELL (Toronto, Ontario)
    • Biotherapeutics for Cancer Treatment—BioCanRX (Ottawa, Ontario)
    • Canadian Glycomics Network—GlycoNet (Edmonton, Alberta)
    • Canadian Arrhythmia Network—CANet (London, Ontario)
  • Renewed
    • NeuroDevNet (Vancouver, British Columbia)
• With these new grants, the Networks of Centres of Excellence program currently funds 14 networks.
• Recently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered on the government’s commitment to provide an updated science, technology and innovation strategy. The strategy, Seizing Canada’s Moment, is a vision and a road map for strengthening Canada’s position as a global leader in scientific research while looking to harness greater Canadian innovations that create jobs, increase prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

Quotes

“Through our updated science, technology and innovation strategy, our government is making the necessary investments to push the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs and prosperity, and improve the quality of life of Canadians. The newest Networks of Centres of Excellence will undertake research in the important areas of biochemistry, cancer, arrhythmia, aging and brain development, leveraging nationwide talent and resources to tackle social and economic challenges that are important to Canadians.”

– Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

“Our government is committed to investing in world-class research networks, including AGE-WELL, which will develop new technologies to help seniors live independently and safely at home. These investments will improve the quality of life of Canadians and contribute to the creation of a stronger, more innovative economy and a more prosperous Canada.”

– Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

“AGE-WELL will join the impressive lineup of NCEs that are already helping drive innovation in Canada by bringing together the brightest researchers and a wide range of partners. This new network offers a great opportunity for top researchers in aging to explore how we can use technology to improve the quality of life of seniors.”

– Michel Perron, Vice-President, External Affairs and Business Development, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

“We need new tools, devices and solutions in the marketplace that will help older adults remain at home in their later years. AGE-WELL represents a cohesive approach to developing those tools and to establishing Canada as a leader in designing and implementing technology that contributes significantly to the well-being of older people and caregivers.”

– Alex Mihailidis, Joint Scientific Director, AGE-WELL

“AGE-WELL will work closely with end-users—older people and caregivers—industry partners, not-for-profit organizations and the country’s top researchers and research institutions, including Simon Fraser University and our friends at Toronto Rehab. We will identify the needs of aging people and develop solutions to help them live more independently and safely at home while reducing the burden on their caregivers.”

– Andrew Sixsmith, Joint Scientific Director, AGE-WELL

Related product

• Backgrounder: Announcement of NCE Competition Results

Associated links

• NCE competition results
• NCE program information
• Currently funded NCEs
• Science, technology and innovation strategy, Seizing Canada’s Moment
• Seniors.gc.ca
• AGE-WELL