Federal Government Right to Create Seniors Secretariat
Senior Citizens' Secretariat (to July 3, 2005)
February 18, 2005 3:42 PM
Canada's seniors need a central federal support agency similar to
Nova Scotia's Senior Citizens' Secretariat, Angus MacIsaac, chair
of the provincial body said today, Feb. 18.
Media reports out of Ottawa indicate that the federal government
will spend $700 million on the creation of a secretariat and a
boost to the guaranteed annual income supplement to improve the
standard of living of seniors.
The move -- expected in next week's federal budget -- will place
greater emphasis on the issues surrounding Canada's 4.1 million
seniors, said Mr. MacIsaac.
"I hope that media reports of this are accurate and that the
federal government announces this positive initiative. Certainly,
when I met with the federal minister of state for families and
caregivers I encouraged him to create a federal secretariat," he
said.
Mr. MacIsaac met with Tony Ianno when the federal minister, who
headed a federal task force on aging in 2004, was in Halifax in
January to host a roundtable.
"We've found that seniors are much better served under one
umbrella. Our secretariat is now 25 years old. It's positive to
have one entry point to government that can respond to seniors'
issues," said Mr. MacIsaac. "Having one place they can turn to
for support and direction is very important."
The Nova Scotia Seniors Citizens' Secretariat also works with
seniors to develop plans, policies and programs in partnership
with the departments of Community Services, Health, Service Nova
Scotia and Municipal Relations, Health Promotion and Education.
The secretariat leads the Nova Scotia Task Force on Aging
initiative, which conducted 34 public consultation meetings
across the province last fall following the release of a
discussion paper. "The more than 700 people who attended task
force meetings, and those who submitted written responses, shared
many of the concerns Mr. Ianno addressed in his report last
year," said Valerie White, executive director of the secretariat.
"The range of programs being proposed -- increased income,
affordable housing, caregiver tax credits, and mentoring programs
-- will have a tremendously positive impact on the lives of
seniors."
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Canada's seniors will be well served if federal authorities
create an agency similar to Nova Scotia's Senior Citizens'
Secretariat, says Angus MacIsaac, chair of the provincial body.
Mr. MacIsaac says the province has learned that seniors are
better served under one umbrella and he hopes rumours of a new
federal secretariat are true.
Media reports say the federal government's budget next week
will include 700-million dollars to create a federal secretariat
and to boost the guaranteed annual income supplement.
-30-
Contact: Sherri Aikenhead
Department of Health
902-424-5025
E-mail: aikenhsl@gov.ns.ca
jal February 18, 2005 3:42 P.M.
Canada's seniors need a central federal support agency similar to
Nova Scotia's Senior Citizens' Secretariat, Angus MacIsaac, chair
of the provincial body said today, Feb. 18.
Media reports out of Ottawa indicate that the federal government
will spend $700 million on the creation of a secretariat and a
boost to the guaranteed annual income supplement to improve the
standard of living of seniors.
The move -- expected in next week's federal budget -- will place
greater emphasis on the issues surrounding Canada's 4.1 million
seniors, said Mr. MacIsaac.
"I hope that media reports of this are accurate and that the
federal government announces this positive initiative. Certainly,
when I met with the federal minister of state for families and
caregivers I encouraged him to create a federal secretariat," he
said.
Mr. MacIsaac met with Tony Ianno when the federal minister, who
headed a federal task force on aging in 2004, was in Halifax in
January to host a roundtable.
"We've found that seniors are much better served under one
umbrella. Our secretariat is now 25 years old. It's positive to
have one entry point to government that can respond to seniors'
issues," said Mr. MacIsaac. "Having one place they can turn to
for support and direction is very important."
The Nova Scotia Seniors Citizens' Secretariat also works with
seniors to develop plans, policies and programs in partnership
with the departments of Community Services, Health, Service Nova
Scotia and Municipal Relations, Health Promotion and Education.
The secretariat leads the Nova Scotia Task Force on Aging
initiative, which conducted 34 public consultation meetings
across the province last fall following the release of a
discussion paper. "The more than 700 people who attended task
force meetings, and those who submitted written responses, shared
many of the concerns Mr. Ianno addressed in his report last
year," said Valerie White, executive director of the secretariat.
"The range of programs being proposed -- increased income,
affordable housing, caregiver tax credits, and mentoring programs
-- will have a tremendously positive impact on the lives of
seniors."
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Canada's seniors will be well served if federal authorities
create an agency similar to Nova Scotia's Senior Citizens'
Secretariat, says Angus MacIsaac, chair of the provincial body.
Mr. MacIsaac says the province has learned that seniors are
better served under one umbrella and he hopes rumours of a new
federal secretariat are true.
Media reports say the federal government's budget next week
will include 700-million dollars to create a federal secretariat
and to boost the guaranteed annual income supplement.
-30-
Contact: Sherri Aikenhead
Department of Health
902-424-5025
E-mail: aikenhsl@gov.ns.ca
jal February 18, 2005 3:42 P.M.