Backgrounders

The Gerontological Advisory Council

The Gerontological Advisory Council (GAC) was formed by Veterans Affairs Canada in October 1997 to advise and educate the Department on policies, programs, services and trends affecting Canada's aging population, with particular focus on Canada’s aging war-service Veterans.

The GAC, which meets semi-annually, is chaired by Dr. Victor Marshall, one of North America's leading social gerontologists. He is joined by 14 members-at-large who represent many of Canada's most distinguished experts on aging, seniors' and Veterans' issues.

Since its inception, the GAC has provided Veterans Affairs Canada with guidance on a number of issues, including:

• caregiver initiatives;
• alternative housing trends for Veterans;
• long-term and continuing care;
• health promotion and rehabilitation;
• departmental research; and
• dementia research.

The discussion paper, Keeping the Promise, was authored by the Futures Committee of the Council, independent of Veterans Affairs Canada. The Futures Committee is led by Council member, Dr. Dorothy Pringle, and includes Council members, Dr. François Béland and Dr. Norah Keating. The Futures Committee thanks the other members of the Council for their thoughtful and constructive contribution to the paper.

Funding for the GAC is provided by Veterans Affairs Canada.

For more information on the Gerontological Advisory Council, please visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca.