Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors met in Saskatoon at the end of November to discuss issues affecting the well-being of Canada’s seniors, including abuse of older persons, social isolation and healthy aging.
Minister Doug Currie asked that research work be done in the area of financial security and financial supports for seniors. “I stressed the challenges that our seniors are facing with increasing drug and fuel costs,” said Minister Currie. “Ensuring that the seniors of today and tomorrow have a liveable-income is an issue that requires national attention and cooperation.”
Seniors constitute a significant and growing segment of the Canadian population. The number of seniors is projected to more than double by 2036, when one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65.
The Ministers committed to continue to address abuse of older persons. They also agreed to explore options for making information and best practices more readily available. The collaborative work by government and community in Prince Edward Island in addressing prevention of abuse of older persons and, more specifically, financial abuse and fraud, was highlighted by Minister Currie.
Ministers also considered the problem of social isolation among seniors and endorsed Working Together with Seniors – A Toolkit to Promote Seniors’ Social Integration in Community Services, Programs and Policy.
In the new year, Ministers will reconvene to focus on the most pressing needs of today’s seniors such as financial security and promoting positive images of aging, and the conditions that will enable tomorrow’s seniors to live independently as full and active members of society.
Minister Currie invited the forum of ministers and officials to return to Prince Edward Island for meetings in fall 2008.
To receive a copy of the Toolkit to Promote Seniors’ Social Integration in Community Services, Programs and Policy, please contact the Prince Edward Island Seniors’ Secretariat at 1-866-594-3777 or send an email to seniors@gov.pe.ca.