On Nov. 3, Members of Parliament Marc Serré (Nickel Belt) and Terry Sheehan (Sault Ste. Marie) hosted a community consultation in Sault Ste. Marie on Serré’s motion for a National Senior’s Strategy. Nearly 100 community members attended the consultation, including National Association of Federal Retirees Algoma Branch members John Brason, Lise Hotchkiss and Chuck Davis, and Board member Linda MacDonald
With support from the National Association of Federal Retirees, the motion (M-106) passed first reading in June 2017. As a result, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities has undertaken a study – Advancing Inclusion and Quality of Life for Canadian Seniors.
Read more about the Association’s presentation to the committee in October.
Following an informative presentation from Serré, consultation attendees broke out into groups to further discuss different aspects of the National Seniors Strategy, such as housing requirements, access to information and services, and accessibility. When each group reported back on their discussion, a clear consensus emerged on the priority of several items – keeping seniors in their own homes as long as possible, transportation accessibility for municipalities, and income security.
Recommendations from this consultation, along with those from 14 other events hosted by Serré, will be forwarded to the Standing Committee for consideration as part of their study.
The National Association of Federal Retirees continues to support MP Serré’s call for a National Seniors Strategy.