Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
June 1, 2015

The following statement was read today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development:

Provincial Government Recognizes Seniors Month

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as Seniors Month in Newfoundland and Labrador and to recognize the lifelong contributions seniors have made, and continue to make, throughout the province.

The Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was created, in part, to focus more directly on seniors' issues and to reflect a changing reality in Newfoundland and Labrador – an aging demographic – and the opportunities and challenges that presents. But our focus on seniors’ issues did not begin here.

Mr. Speaker, one of the first things our government did, in 2004, was to create a Seniors and Aging Division within the Department of Health and Community Services. Since then, we’ve established a 13-member Provincial Advisory Council on Seniors and Aging, with representation from throughout the province. We have developed a Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework and invested in a number of programs to enhance seniors’ wellness. We made changes to the Newfoundland and the Labrador Prescription Drug Program which are of specific benefit to seniors, and we’ve introduced a Low Income Seniors Tax Benefit which, in 2015, will see over $42 million put directly into close to 45,000 senior households.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to invest in programs and services and community-based organizations which serve the needs of seniors, and others. There has been a $6 million increase in the Provincial Home Support Program, which last year provided support to about 9,000 clients, the majority of whom are seniors. In addition, there is the Provincial Home Repair Program; the federal-provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Program, and investments made in support of age-friendly communities – all of which are of significant benefit to seniors.

And I always feel good, Mr. Speaker, when I hear how community-based organizations have used the recreation and wellness grants this government introduced to improve the lives of seniors. These investments get to the very heart of our communities, Mr. Speaker, helping older adults to remain active and engaged in their communities for as long as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues in this House to join me in thanking seniors for the role they have played, and continue to play, in building our province.

2015 06 01                             2:05 p.m.