MPP JOURNAL for the week of June 18, 2021

June is Senior's Month

Minister responsible for Seniors, Cam Jackson declared June as Ontario's Seniors' Month 2001, giving the theme See Seniors; See Life. Our government wants to pay tribute to the men and women who have helped build this province. This celebration has continued in Ontario every June for more than 20 years.

Festivities included Lieutenant Governor, Hilary Weston presented twenty-four seniors with a Senior Achievement Award, who recognized the needs in their communities and have taken action. Safe Medications Use seminars will be taking place as well. These seminars will help seniors know the dangers of not managing their medications correctly.

Seniors' Month activities are also taking place within Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey as well. I had the pleasure of touring the Caressant Care Life Centre, Saugeen Nursing Home and the Birmingham Lodge. I met with a number of wonderful residents who live within these facilities.


This government is addressing the needs of our aging population for some time. Our long-term care investment plan reflects this forward thinking. We have increased spending on long-term care by $1.2 billion, the biggest health investment in Ontario's history. This investment increases long-term care community services by 50 per cent, adds 20,000 new long-term care beds and rebuilds 16,000 outdated existing beds.

To meet the needs of more than 100,000 Ontarians with Alzheimer disease, and their families and caregivers, the Ontario government is investing more than $68 million, in our strategy for Alzheimer Disease and related dementias. This strategy is the first of its kind in Canada.

To help protect the health and well-being of seniors in retirement homes, the government funded the Ontario Residential Care Association to establish the first ever province-wide retirement home Complaints Response and Information Service. By calling 1-800-361-7254, seniors, their family members and retirement home residents can receive up-to-date information about service and accommodation options; as well as receiving help to resolve a complaint

We are also working toward a comprehensive strategy to combat elder abuse. This multi-sectoral strategy will be unique in Canada and will benefit Ontario seniors for decades to come. The government wants to make sure that all citizens in Ontario are safe from harm, and that means seniors too.
Seniors within Ontario have played vital roles in Ontario and even Canada's history. Many lived through the depression and the two World Wars. We listen to their stories of courage, hardship and the fight for freedom. On behalf of citizens of Ontario, I thank all seniors for their strength and courage to make Ontario what it is today.

Take a moment this month to appreciate the many grandmothers and grandfathers, and elderly friends, who have molded our province and our lives.

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