News Release

1999-49
March 29, 1999

Project in connection with International Year of Older Persons aimed at changing certain myths and stereotypes about seniors

Rimouski - The Honourable Gilbert Normand, Secretary of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food) (Fisheries and Oceans) and M.P. for Bellechasse-Etchemins-Montmagny-L'Islet, today announced, on behalf of Health Minister Allan Rock, funding for the project Les aînés: adultes actifs dans la communauté of the Féderation des Clubs de l'Åge d'Or de l'Est du Québec.

This project is aimed at changing certain myths and stereotypes about seniors. Under the project, the Fédération will produce a series of information vignettes for television and radio on a variety of subjects: the various forms of independence; the contribution made by seniors; and seniors' ability to adapt. In addition, it will help seniors to adjust to new technologies. The activities will take place in the Lower St. Lawrence area, the Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands. Health Canada is providing $15,000, through the Population Health Fund, to carry out this project.

In support of its activities, the Fédération will be working in association with the Association des retraités de l'enseignement du Québec (AREQ), the Association des aînés de l'Université du Québec à Rimouski (ADAUQAR), the Conseil consultatif des aînés et aînées de l'Est du Québec, the Centre polyvalent des aînes Rimouski-Neigette, and the Regroupement des Centres d'action bénévole de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine. The Féderation will be assisted by two partners specializing in broadcasting - the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (through its affiliate CJBR) and CFER-TV, in Pointe-au-Père.

This project is one of the 17 initiatives that Health Canada has supported in Quebec to mark the International Year of Older Persons. It had been submitted to the Bureau québécois de l'Année internationale des personnes âgées (BQAIPA, Quebec bureau for IYOP) within the framework of a joint federal/provincial invitation for projects by the federal government last fall.

Health Canada has adopted a population health approach to further the fulfilment of its mandate to maintain and improve the health of Canadians. Through this approach, it recognizes that many factors other than the health care system have a strong impact on health, including nutrition, physical activity and level of education. This approach focuses on prevention and encourages all Canadians, and particularly at-risk groups, to take steps required to promote good health.

The objective of the Population Health Fund, which has an annual budget of $14 million, is to increase community capacity to improve action on the determinants of health, individually or in partnership with volunteer organizations, governments or the private sector. To achieve this objective, support is provided for projects aimed at facilitating intersectoral planning and co-ordinated action on the part of volunteers, care providers, governments and the private sector.

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