16th Meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors Français
On-going collaboration to support the well-being of seniors living in Canada
CHARLOTTETOWN, Oct. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors met this week in Charlottetown to review recent collaborative work and discuss ways to further support the well-being of seniors living in Canada.
F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors recognized the valuable contribution that seniors make to Canadian society. They agreed that all governments have a role to play to ensure that seniors are supported and their contributions are respected.
F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors were pleased to approve several resources to support planning for aging in place. These include the first in a series of videos, a fact sheet and a comprehensive self-assessment checklist, that will raise awareness and encourage seniors and near-seniors to consider the importance of planning for aging in place in their home or community. These resources will be made public and distributed by provinces and territories at their discretion. Ministers were also pleased to discuss the progress being made to raise awareness among employers and key stakeholders of the benefits of supporting older workers who are balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, including best practices/models of creating caregiver-friendly workplaces.
During the meeting, Ministers directed that work immediately take place on two priority areas: explore ways to increase caregiver readiness for current and future Canadian caregivers; and share promising approaches that lead to innovative solutions to address social isolation among seniors, including those living in rural and remote communities.
Quotes
"Forums such as this help us better anticipate and respond to the changing needs of Canada's aging population. All levels of government have a role to play, and we are committed to working in partnership to support seniors in Canada. Our discussions over these past two days have focused on critical issues, such as the importance of planning for aging in place and of supporting older workers who are balancing the competing demands of work and caregiving."
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors),Government of Canada
"Prince Edward Island was honoured to have the opportunity to host the 2014 meeting of Ministers Responsible for Seniors. As Co-chair of the conference, I welcomed this opportunity to learn from both my colleagues and presenters. We must continue working collaboratively to support our near-seniors and seniors and ensure their needs are front and center at all levels of government and in our communities."
– The Honourable Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors, Prince Edward Island
Quick facts
- The Forum of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors was established in 1992 by F/P/T governments to advance issues of common interest. The focus is on concrete, collaborative projects and actions that will have a positive impact on the lives of seniors.
- Prince Edward Island is home to Canada's third highest proportion of people age 65 and over at 17.9% of the population.
- F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors will reconvene in British Columbia in 2016 to review progress and identify new priority areas to help meet the needs of seniors.
Associated links
Québec contributes to the F/P/T Seniors Forum by sharing expertise, information and best practices. However, it does not subscribe to, nor participate in, federal /provincial/territorial approaches in the area of seniors. The Quebec government intends to continue to fulfill its responsibilities to seniors in Quebec.
SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada
Earl Maynard, Office of the Minister of State (Seniors), 819-953-1144; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Jean Doherty, Communications, Prince Edward Island, [email protected], 902-314-5702
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