DEVOLIN AND SCOTT SET UP TWO SENIORS SEMINARS

Devolin Column

(May 5)

Each June, communities across Ontario pay tribute to seniors by observing Seniors’ Month. The month provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate and recognize senior men and women who have made, and continue to make, an important contribution to what this province is today.

To mark this important occasion, I’m pleased to be teaming up with our MPP Laurie Scott to host Seniors Seminars on Tuesday May 24 at the Lindsay Armoury, and on Wednesday May 25 at the Haliburton Legion. 

At these seminars there will be informative exhibits by organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Telehealth Ontario and fire departments in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Dysart et al. Attendees will also be hearing from a variety of guest speakers touching on topics such as dental health, gardening, safe prescription drug use and seniors safety.

Registration on both days starts at 9:00am with sessions getting underway at 10:00am and running until 2:00pm. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided at no cost to attendees.

Seniors are a dynamic resource, and communities across Canada are reaping the benefits of their wisdom, knowledge and expertise. I also recognize that today’s seniors are living longer, healthier and more active lives than ever.

Among other things, seniors are athletes, mentors, community leaders, taxpayers, volunteers, pioneers and learners. (In fact, I recently learned that while Internet use has increased for all age groups, growth has been fastest in households headed by seniors age 65 and over.)

Seniors are one of the fastest growing population groups in Canada. In 2000, there were an estimated 3.8 million Canadians aged 65 and over, up 62% from 2.4 million in 1981. In fact, the senior population has grown about twice as fast as the overall population since the early 1980s.

As a result, more than one out of every 8 Canadians is now a senior. In 2000, 13% of the population were seniors, up from 10% in 1981 and 8% in 1971; it was also more than two and a half times the figure in 1921, when only 5% of people living in Canada were seniors.

The rapid growth in the size of the senior population is also expected to continue well into the future, particularly when those born during the baby boom years from 1946 to 1966 begin turning age 65 early in the second decade of the new century.

Statistics Canada has projected, for example, that by 2021 there will be almost 7 million seniors, who will represent 19% of the total population, and that by 2041 there will be over 9 million seniors, who will make up an estimated 25% of the population.

Seniors provide economic activity in the communities in which they choose to live.  They buy groceries, cars, furniture and even renovate their homes.  That means spin-offs such as retaining jobs and a stronger healthier local economy. 

I believe that making our communities more senior friendly is an important step in the right direction. When those looking to retire look at potential locations, I think a number of things go through their heads such as access to quality health care, adequate shopping, distance to the GTA and clean and safe streets. I think our community can proudly say that we easily meet and exceed those expectations.

Laurie and I look forward to working with various seniors groups across this riding and hope you will be able to join us during our Seniors Seminars later this month.

Please note: there is a limited number of spaces available so if you would like to attend, please call my office at 324-2400 or 866-688-9881, or call Laurie`s office at 324-6654 or 800-424-2490 before May 19.