Roundtable with Minister of State (Seniors), Alice Wong, MP

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On Friday, March 6th, Sharon Simpson, Director of Communications emceed a roundtable discussion on seniors’ trends and issues in Abbotsford, BC. Hosted by Minister Ed Fast, MP, the event included a lunch (with more than 150 seniors), keynote address by Minister Alice Wong and roundtable discussion with health and service leaders in Abbotsford.

Joined by Darryl Plecas (MLA, Abbotsford), Parliamentary Secretary of Seniors to the Minister of Health, and Patricia Ross, Deputy Mayor of Abbotsford, the conversation was collaborative and passionate.

In her remarks, Minister Wong highlighted the programs and activities that the federal government is championing to address; social isolation of seniors, caregiving and the expectations on caregivers, age-friendly communities and seniors aging in place.

With the new pension income-splitting initiative, more than 600,000 seniors will no longer pay income tax in Canada.

In addition, there are significant initiatives Canada-wide to promote Age-Friendly Communities. Abbotsford has recently been awarded an $18,000 age-friendly community planning and project grant to help support local strategies to help seniors stay mobile, physically active, socially connected and healthy.

This grant will be used by the city for its Take a Walk! – Improving Walkability for Older Adults program.

The roundtable discussion brought out the passion that Abbotsford health and service leaders have for creating a supportive, vital NOW – and a sustainable FUTURE for seniors in this community. It was exciting to hear the collaboration and unity as each leader shared with Minister Wong the trends and issues they face as they relate to seniors in Abbotsford.

In addition to this, the roundtable tackled the topics of social isolation of seniors, caregiving and caregiver expectations, age-friendly communities and aging in place.

The event took place at Garden Park Tower, hosted by Minister Ed Fast, MP. It was organized by Ron Willms, Executive Director, Clearbrook Golden Age Society and Sharon Simpson, Director, Communications and Marketing, Menno Place.

Thank you to all who participated in the luncheon and roundtable. It was invigorating!