October 28, 2018 Burnaby, British Columbia Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada values the contribution that seniors have made and continue to make to our communities, our workplaces and our families.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, the Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, highlighted the contributions of seniors at an event hosted by the BC Cultural Diversity Association at the Bonsor Community Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia. During the event, seniors were recognized for the positive impact they have had in their communities.
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that programs and services respond to Canada's aging population and provide Canadian seniors and future retirees with greater security and a better quality of life. The Government is taking concrete action to: improve seniors' access to affordable housing; promote healthy ageing and improve access to health care services; and foster the social inclusion and engagement of seniors. The Government has also taken significant steps to improve income security for seniors by restoring the age of eligibility for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement from 67 to 65 and by increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up.
Seniors give so much to our society and their positive actions can be felt all across our country. Their valuable contributions to our communities deserve to be celebrated every day.
"As the seniors population is growing, we need more than ever to celebrate and support them so they can have greater security and a better quality of life. That is why we are putting them in the forefront and focusing on issues that affect them directly including income security, affordable housing and social inclusion."
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors
"Seniors have made and continue to make countless contributions to our country and we must celebrate them every day, whether it is by small gestures or by hosting or attending events like today's. These seniors are representing our country at its best: diverse and inclusive."
– The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
In November 2010, the Celebrating Canada's Seniors Act established October 1 as National Seniors Day to help ensure that Canadians appreciate and celebrate the enormous contributions seniors make to their families, communities, workplaces and society.
According to Statistics Canada's 2016 census, for the first time, seniors now outnumber children in Canada. It is projected that by 2031, seniors will represent 23 percent of our population, up from 17 percent in 2016.
The Government of Canada has taken concrete action to improve income security for seniors by restoring the age of eligibility for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement from 67 to 65.
The Government has increased the Guaranteed Income Supplement amount by up to an additional $947 per year for the lowest-income single seniors, providing assistance to close to 900,000 low-income seniors.
Starting in 2019, the Canada Pension Plan will be gradually enhanced. Today's youngest workers will receive up to 50 percent more from the Canada Pension Plan when they retire.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program provides funding to organizations that help ensure seniors can benefit from, and contribute to, the quality of life in their communities through active living and participation in social activities. It has funded more than 21,600 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada since 2004.
In November 2017, the National Housing Strategy was launched, providing $40 billion over 10 years to help reduce homelessness and improve the availability and quality of housing for Canadians in need, including seniors.
