"Our province is rapidly aging and within 10 years, 20 per cent of our residents will be over the age of 65," said Minister Wiseman. "Our government�s vision is for a province where seniors can make a contribution to their communities, and in turn, our communities support senior residents in living as independently as possible. The policy framework provides key directions for government to achieve this vision and support our older population."

The policy framework identifies and explores the major themes heard during 17 public, province-wide consultations held last spring and outlines six priority directions together with a series of goals and actions to establish healthy aging in the province. These priority directions are the Recognition of Older Persons, Celebrating Diversity, Supportive Communities, Financial Well-being, Health and Well-being, and Employment, Education and Research.

"Healthy aging affects all people across all ages," said Leo Bonnell, chair of the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors. "The release of the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework demonstrates an important commitment to seniors of today and seniors of tomorrow."

"I am thrilled to be here in my district today for the release of this important framework," said Dave Denine, MHA for Mount Pearl. "Mount Pearl has a very active seniors� population who will no doubt benefit from this framework and government�s approach to supporting healthy aging."

To support the implementation of the healthy aging policy framework, an integrated one-year action plan, Provincial Healthy Aging Implementation Plan, Year 1: 2007-2008: Building a Foundation, has been developed. The implementation plan involves several Provincial Government departments and agencies and various action items are being supported through established government initiatives, such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Recreation and Sport Strategy and Action Plan, the Provincial Wellness Plan and the Violence Prevention Initiative.

Budget 2007 allocated $1 million to carry out the additional action items to support the healthy aging policy framework. Each year, additional initiatives will be identified for implementation and subsequent funding consideration. Highlights of this investment for the Year 1 implementation plan include:

"The input from over 1,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians shaped the framework and the resulting action plan," said Minister Wiseman. "As this framework was developed through public, province-wide consultations with interested individuals, organizations, municipalities and government, it represents of what the people of our province have asked of their government."