Health and Community Services
June 3, 2008

I rise in this House today to recognize June as Seniors Month in Newfoundland and Labrador and to acknowledge the value and contributions of seniors across our province

This month is an important time to recognize that seniors of all ages and diversity are important members of our society. The contributions of seniors have helped, and continue to help shape our province, our country and society as a whole. Their collective experience, wisdom and knowledge is a precious resource which deserves great respect.

As the minister responsible for seniors, I believe that our gratitude and respect for seniors should be shown throughout the year, not just the month of June. That�s why we have made significant investments in initiatives which benefit seniors and help them have quality of life and live as independently as possible.

In the last two budgets we have significantly expanded the seniors benefit for both single and married seniors, benefiting over 37,000 seniors. Our expansions have increased the budget for this program by 250 per cent since 2003 bringing it to a total of $26.8 million annually.

Budget 2008 also provides $15 million for a Long Term Care and Community Supportive Services Strategy including an increase in home support service levels, additional client subsidies for personal care homes and funding to exempt RRSPs from the financial assessment process for clients receiving home support.

It is our government�s vision to have a supportive, age-friendly province where seniors can make a contribution to their communities, and in turn, our communities support senior residents. We all want the best quality of life for our families, our friends and ourselves. And, through our healthy aging policy framework we are building the foundation to achieve this.

As outlined as action items in the framework, we are in the process of developing a campaign targeting abuse against older persons, which we will be unveiling later this month; a campaign to promote positive images of aging; and a new seniors recognition awards program to be launched later this year.

This collective package of measures, in addition to our significant cuts in taxes and fees and our enhancements to the provincial drug program, puts more money back into the hands of seniors, helps to enhance their quality of life, and shows them our gratitude for all they have done, and continue to do for Newfoundland and Labrador.

2008 06 03                                                    1:45 p.m.