17th Meeting of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors

September 13,  2016- Vancouver, British  Columbia
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers  Responsible for Seniors

 Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for  Seniors met today in Vancouver to discuss key issues related to seniors that matter  to all Canadians such as caregiver readiness and social inclusion. The meeting  was co-chaired by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families,  Children and Social Development and the federal Minister responsible for  Seniors, and the Honourable Terry Lake, Minister of Health, Government of  British Columbia.

 During the meeting, Ministers emphasized the importance of continuing to  work together to support the well-being of seniors. This meeting was the first  opportunity for provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for seniors to  meet with Minister Duclos to begin working together on areas of common  interest, while respecting jurisdictional roles and responsibilities.

 Ministers  agreed to support collaboration with other F/P/T tables to advance the  interests of seniors. In particular, they discussed the importance of  supporting seniors to receive home care, and the need for affordable housing  options for seniors. They also agreed to move forward on priorities such as promoting social inclusion of seniors. Ministers  agreed to disseminate an innovative toolkit designed to reduce social isolation  and identify ways to better support the active participation of older Canadians  in the economy and civil society.

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.

 F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors will  reconvene in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2017 to discuss future work to  support the needs of seniors.
All governments contribute to the Federal, Provincial and Territorial  (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum by sharing information,  expertise, and innovative practices. However, Québec does not subscribe to  pan-Canadian approaches with reference to seniors as it intends to continue to  fulfill its responsibilities to seniors in Québec.

Quotes

"I am pleased the federal, provincial and  territorial ministers responsible for seniors met to continue our collaboration  and advance our discussions on issues that impact seniors. Our Government is  demonstrating its commitment to seniors through Budget 2016 by lifting Canadians  out of poverty, helping seniors facing challenges in accessing affordable  housing, increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up for single seniors  and restoring the age of eligibility of the Old Age Security pension and the  Guaranteed Income Supplement from 67 to 65. Building on these measures, the  Government has also been working hard to enhance the Canada Pension Plan, and  provide more generous and flexible leave for caregivers."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and  Social Development, Government of Canada

"It's important to acknowledge seniors for  all they have done and for how they continue to enhance our lives each day with  their wisdom and experience. Today was a good day of discussion with my  colleagues from across Canada on finding ways to make sure seniors have access  to appropriate and effective support."
– The Honourable  Terry Lake, Minister of Health, Government of British Columbia

Associated links:

Federal/Provincial/Territorial  Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum

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