Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors share commitment to working together for seniors

QUÉBEC, Quebec, May 26, 2005—Ministers Responsible for Seniors met for two days in Québec City and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to continue preparing for the challenges and opportunities facing their governments and Canadian society as a result of our growing seniors' population.

Canada's population is changing. Today one in eight persons is over 65; in less than 20 years, that number will be one in five. As a result, the needs for health care, housing, and other social services will change in the coming years.

All governments are aware that work must be done to support Canada's seniors in the short and long term, and to value and promote the tremendous contribution seniors make to their families, communities, and country. Ministers representing federal/provincial and territorial governments play important roles as champions of seniors' issues in their respective jurisdictions. There is also an agreement among ministers as to the necessity of working together while respecting each other's areas of jurisdiction and priorities.

Canada's Minister of Social Development, Ken Dryden, co-chair of the meeting, expressed his satisfaction. "All the Ministers and officials arrived at the meeting with the intention of really moving forward the agenda for seniors. The issue demands it and we want to, and need to, respond. It will require creativity and commitment. Most importantly, it will require collaboration".

"The major demographic challenges we are now facing require us to take action to develop global solutions for the present and the future of our societies. Within this context, one of the options available to us is greater participation by seniors. We need to think creatively about how seniors can retain their rightful place in society and fully participate in its development," said Minister Carole Théberge, Quebec Minister of Family, Seniors and Status of Women, co-chair of the meeting.

"The spirit of co-operation by all governments regarding the well-being of seniors is moving to a new level, with enthusiasm. We are in the process of building a collaborative approach to bring greater focus to seniors' issues. Having made a lifetime of contributions to their families and communities, seniors deserve nothing less," Canada's Minister of State (Families and Caregivers) Tony Ianno said at the end of the meeting.

"I am impressed with the commitment of Ministers to work collaboratively on issues affecting seniors. This will facilitate the creation of new strategies and partnerships to achieve positive aging across and within jurisdictions," Minister Angus MacIsaac, Chair of the Seniors' Secretariat in Nova Scotia, said at the conclusion of the meeting.

Ministers each recognized the importance of hearing from seniors, non-government organizations, advisory councils, and committees, and other stakeholders. On Wednesday afternoon, Ministers took the opportunity to invite the Chairs of four seniors advisory councils and clearly heard the importance of listening to, valuing, and respecting seniors.

At the meeting, Ministers recognized what they had accomplished in the key areas of private residences, northern and remote communities, and informal caregiving. In particular, they acknowledged that the Framework for Planning for an Aging Population that has been developed can be used as a tool to guide their collective and individual efforts. This important work will continue.

Ministers also agreed to build on work on several issues: social isolation, the interaction of government programs, healthy aging, and safety and security, including prevention of abuse of older Canadians.

With a view to more focused and collaborative work, they asked their officials to launch work in three key areas: recognizing and promoting the role of seniors and elders in society; accessing information and services in a culturally and linguistically sensitive and appropriate manner; and assessing diversity within the seniors' population and diverse needs of various stages in the aging process.

Seniors are the fastest-growing age group in Canada. This shift will have significant economic, social, and political implications. The opportunities stemming from a collaborative approach by federal, provincial, and territorial governments will help governments adapt to Canada's aging population and demographic changes.

Recognizing the importance of action, Ministers Responsible for Seniors will meet annually to discuss priority seniors' issues, share experiences and best practices, and seek opportunities for collaboration.

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For more information:

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Social Development
(613) 941-0766

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110
www.sdc.gc.ca

Louise Bédard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Family,
Seniors and Status of Women
(418) 643-2181

Public Relations and Communications
Department of Family, Seniors and Status of Women
(418) 643-2555