Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

The following is a video of Alice Wong’s Christmas Holiday Season remarks:

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The following is a transcript:

Hello, I’m Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond and Minister of State for Seniors. On behalf of myself and my husband Enoch, I wish you all a pleasant and joyful holiday season. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other religious event, may your festivities be an occasion for great happiness for you and your family. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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.

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Nov 22, 2012 – Today, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for improvements to the Richmond Curling Centre, under the Harper Government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

“”Our Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in our communities,”” said Minister Wong. “”By improving facilities such as this, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for Canadians.””

A federal investment of $40,300 will support the Richmond Winter Club to replace the ice condenser at the Richmond Curling Centre.

“”We are pleased to accept this contribution toward the costly and necessary replacement of our ice condenser. The Richmond Curling Centre is mandated to providing safe and quality curling opportunity to men and women of all ages and abilities,”” said Doug Bradley, General Manager of the Richmond Curling Club on behalf of the Board of the Richmond Winter Club. “”We are the sole provider of curling in Richmond and are proud to be a strong community partner. The new condenser which is a key component to our ice making equipment will ensure our facility will continue to fulfill our mandate to the community well into the future.””

CIIF supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure accessible to the public. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.

Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating, small and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.

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.

Richmond, November 14, 2012 — Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond and Minister of State (Seniors), presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals on November 10, 2012 at a special ceremony in Richmond at the Quilchena Golf and Country Club.

“The awarding of the Diamond Jubilee medals is a legacy activity that commemorates Her Majesty’s 60 years of service and recognizes Canadians from all walks of life and backgrounds who have made significant contributions to their communities”, said Alice Wong. “It was an honour and a pleasure to host a celebration for the dedicated individuals who have wholeheartedly served Richmond and Canada.”

The medal recipients were the following:
Chak Au, Henry Beh, Kenny Chiu, Stuart Arthur Corrigal, Angela Kan, James Angus McArthur Lamond, Hanson Lau, Magdalen Leung (absent), Ludia Li, Alexa Loo, William McNulty, Bruce Murray, Kanwal Inder Singh Neel, Shirley Olafsson, Helen Quan, Peter Raju, Robert Redmile, Ron Rique, Balwant Singh Sanghera, Pak Hang Tse (absent), James Richard Wright, Frederick Yip, and Juliana Yung.

The following is a video of Alice Wong’s Remembrance Day remarks:

The player will show in this paragraph

The following is a transcript:

Hello. I’m Alice Wong, Minister responsible for seniors and Member of Parliament for Richmond. Remembrance Day is a time to honour the sacrifices and valour of Canada’s peacemakers and the men and women who have so bravely served our country. They defended our nation and stood up for our values and freedoms. On November the 11th, please join me in taking part in a Remembrance Day ceremony in our community. And, to our veterans, men and women of the Canadian armed forces, on behalf of the residents of Richmond, thank you for your service. Lest we forget.

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.

Iqaluit, Nunavut, November 2, 2012—The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today met with local seniors’ organizations to discuss informed, engaged and active seniors.

“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 active and engaged 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 roundtable discussions will help inform the direction of future government policies and programs on seniors’ issues.