Minister of State for Seniors participates in seniors roundtable in Abbotsford - Minister highlights Government support for seniors including income splitting

ABBOTSFORD, BC, March 6, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) met today in Abbotsford with seniors' organizations as well as service and health providers to highlight the Harper Government's family tax cuts and benefits and to discuss issues facing seniors in Canada. The roundtable was hosted by the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade.

In her remarks, Minister Wong highlighted programs and activities designed to raise awareness and address the social isolation of seniors. She also outlined supports and initiatives to help caregivers.

She also underscored the over $2.8 billion in annual tax relief to seniors and pensioners, through implementing pension income splitting and introducing the largest top-up to the Guaranteed Income Supplement in several years. These changes to income security programs have given older Canadians more choice and flexibility in regards to life, work and retirement.

Quick Facts

• The Government is committed to supporting and promoting seniors' health, well-being and contributions by encouraging them to stay active, engaged and informed.
• In September, the Government of Canada released the Government of Canada Action for Seniors report, a comprehensive information resource highlighting federal programs and services, which can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers at Canada.ca/Seniors.
• Today, 1 in 7 Canadians is aged 65 or over. By 2036, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be a senior.
• Over the last decade in Canada, life expectancy at age 65 increased by 2 years, approximately twice the rate of growth observed over each of the previous decades since 1929.

Quotes

"Canadian seniors have played a central part in building this country. They have earned our respect and admiration, and they deserve our support to help them enjoy the best quality of life possible. That's why our Government provides more than $2.8 billion in annual tax relief to seniors and pensioners across Canada, which has led to one of the lowest rates of poverty among seniors in the world."
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

"I'm proud of our Government's accomplishments in supporting Canadian seniors in their communities. We will continue to work with organizations across Canada to improve the lives of seniors and make independence a reality for them. Together, we can promote seniors' health and well-being by encouraging them to stay active, engaged and informed."
– The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Seniors 
Seniors in Canada (Facebook)

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Related Links

http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca