BC FORUM News

World Alzheimers Day

NDP Seniors Critic Irene Mathyssen delivers Statement in the House, September 21, 2011 - World Alzheimer's Day

Today is World Alzheimer Day, a day to acknowledge a disease that affects more than 24 million people worldwide. It is a debilitating disorder that has a significant impact not only on those who suffer from Alzheimer's but also their families.

Today is also a day of hope and awareness. Hope in knowing that people are working hard to bring a better quality of life for persons with Alzheimer's, and one day find a cure. And brings awareness that those suffering, and their families need our compassion and our help.

What is needed is a comprehensive plan that will address the reality of our growing seniors' population. And we need to develop the capacity to handle the increased numbers of seniors suffering from this disease.

New Democrats would like to thank all those Canadians who support and care for people who suffer from Alzheimer's. Their sacrifices and their dedication are truly heroic and they deserve to be recognized.

Bill C-287 - An Act respecting a Senior Consumer Price Index

This bill arises out of some consultations that I have had this spring and summer with seniors and seniors' organizations. In our country the Consumer Price Index and our understanding of the poverty level that seniors are experiencing is inadequate.

My bill would amend the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security Act to provide that pensions provided under those acts are indexed in accordance with this senior consumer price index. We have a different reality today in terms of the needs of individuals and I would hope the House would support the bill and, thus, the seniors of our country.

National Seniors' Day

On October 1, Canada celebrates National Seniors' Day. It is a day to recognize how important seniors are to the fabric of Canada. A day to recognize the work they do in their homes, in their communities and in business.

I have been listening to seniors and meeting with Seniors organizations over the summer and I have heard over and over how there is a desperate lack of funding for programs and a very real and legitimate fear that Canada is not prepared for the rapidly rising seniors population.

I met those who are working with our seniors or who are seniors themselves and heard many of the extraordinary ideas people have to address the needs of our aging population. I have heard loud and clear from everyone with whom I spoke that we are in desperate need of a comprehensive plan that will ensure we can address this demographic shift.

The most important issue voiced over and over is that seniors want to stay for as long as possible in their own homes. They want to be in their communities near their friends and family.

I cannot think of a better way to recognize the contributions of our seniors to Canada than giving them the opportunity to retire with dignity, the dignity to remain in their homes, their community, with their friends and family.

I am committed to working with Canadians across this country to develop a comprehensive plan to address our aging population.