BC FORUM News - from BC’s Seniors Advocate June, 2021 Update from BC’s Seniors’ Advocate Last week the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum held our biannual meeting and I wanted to share some of what my colleagues and I have been working on. Launch of Older Workers: Exploring and Addressing the Stereotypes The Forum released a report entitled Older Workers: Exploring and Addressing the Stereotypes. It examines current knowledge on attitudes and beliefs about older workers and includes best practices and initiatives to address negative stereotypes. Virtual stakeholder symposium: The Future of Aging in Canada The Forum hosted a virtual stakeholder symposium entitled The Future of Aging in Canada. This was an excellent opportunity for stakeholders from across Canada to come together and listen to experts from AGE-WELL, the Canadian Association on Gerontology, the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and United Way Centraide Canada discuss new ideas to respond to social isolation, support healthy aging through innovative research and technological advancements, and address and prevent senior abuse. You can watch the event on Youtube at https://youtu.be/W4IJTrrf_zE Ministers’ meeting On June 9, 2021, I connected virtually with my provincial and territorial counterparts at the 23rd meeting of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum. We shared measures that our respective jurisdictions have taken to support seniors in Canada, particularly in light of the major impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on seniors. We also agreed on the Forum’s work plan over the next three years. We will continue work on Aging in Community and Ageism, and added three new topics: • The role of technology to enhance aging in place • Senior abuse: during the pandemic and beyond • Supportive housing for a diverse senior population More information is available in the joint communiqué. Senior abuse federal definition consultation In addition to these federal/provincial/territorial initiatives, the Government of Canada is strengthening how we combat senior abuse. On June 15, I will launch an online consultation to develop a federal policy definition of senior abuse at Aging with Rights: Ending Elder Abuse in Canada, a free national online event hosted by CanAge, Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, and the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. A federal definition will support more consistent awareness and prevention activities, data collection, and program and service delivery. Stay tuned to the Seniors in Canada Facebook page for updates and to have your say. Sincerely, Minister Deb Schulte canada.ca/seniors Spread the word: I hope you will take a minute to ensure that this message reaches as many seniors (and the people who support them) as possible. Please share it with your networks through social media, email or your newsletter. You can now invite others to sign up for the newsletter online. For regular updates, please follow: Twitter: @ESDC_GC Facebook: Seniors in Canada | 
