Making sure Canada’s seniors live healthy, happy and active lives as much as possible isn’t just the nice thing to do – helping seniors continue to contribute is good for our economies and communities, too. But gaps in Canada’s social policies are becoming barriers to seniors’ independence and the essential role they play in vibrant, healthy communities and economies.
That was the message recently delivered by Jean-Guy Soulière, national president of our Association, to MPs on the Commons standing committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
"Health care, housing, social interaction and predictable retirement income are all interrelated because each affects the other," Mr. Soulière told the committee. "Poor housing, uncertain retirement income and isolation are all important social determinants that can affect health, as any physician will tell you."
Mr. Soulière’s remarks were backed up by a formal submission brief to the committee.
Over the summer, Federal Retirees made similar points to the Commons Finance Committee as part of 2018 federal budget consultations.
These steps are just the latest in the Federal Retirees long-standing support for a National Seniors Strategy focused on home care, housing, and community life. Such a strategy would provide the blueprint for an integrated continuum of care to meet the needs of a growing seniors population as well as support a strong economy across generations.