This October 1st, Canadians from coast to coast to coast will celebrate Canadian seniors.  It’s a day to reflect on the many contributions seniors have made; to recognize that they continue to make a difference; and to celebrate the ways in which older Canadians have – and continue to – shape our lives.

Older Canadians are an invaluable source of wisdom, expertise, and life experience. I am proud to say that on June 16th, our Government delivered on that promise when the Minister of State for Seniors introduced the Celebrating Canada’s Seniors Act. The Bill was passed with the unanimous support of the House of Commons and is currently awaiting Second Reading in the Senate.

The date selected to be Canada’s own National Seniors Day coincides with the UN’s International Day of Older Persons, a United Nations initiative which Canada is a faithful participant. This will afford Canadians the chance to celebrate seniors with the international community while also focusing on our seniors here at home.

Also this month is National Family Week. October 4th-10th is an opportunity to celebrate families and reflect on their importance in our lives. This year’s theme, Families Connecting through Stories, provides an opportunity celebrate the joys of reading and storytelling. Through these everyday activities, family members of all ages can take part in rediscovering the spirit of family.

Look for local events marking National Family Week or plan one of your own. For ideas or activities, please visit www.frp.ca/NFW .



News from Ottawa

The Federal Government’s Support for Seniors

• To improve government representation for seniors we created the position of Minister of State (Seniors) to bring the concerns of older Canadians to the Cabinet table, and stand up on their behalf.
• The National Seniors Council was established in 2007 to provide advice to the federal government on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors.

• We allocated $400 million over two years in targeted funding for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors through the Affordable Housing Initiative (to be cost-shared with the Provinces and Territories)
• We improved access to EI Compassionate Care
• We allocated $220 million over five years to the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, which has thus far assisted over 10,000 unemployed older workers through over 200 approved projects
• We invested $13 million over three years for the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI)
• We invested an additional $5 million per year in the New Horizons Program, bringing the total overall budget to $40 million per year

• We introduced pension income splitting
• We increased the maturation age limit for Registered Retirement Savings Plans/Registered Pension Plans from 69 to 71 years of age
• We increased the age credit twice, in 2006 and again in 2009, by $1,000 each time, which provides additional tax savings to 2.2 million seniors
• We increased the amount of pension income that may be claimed under the Pension Income Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000, removing 85,000 seniors from tax rolls completely
• We introduced the Tax Free Savings Account, which is particularly beneficial to seniors given that its withdrawals are GIS-exempt

• We increased the amount that can be earned to $3,500 before the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is reduced
• We increased flexibility for seniors and older workers with federally regulated pension assets that are held in Life Income Funds
• We provided a one-time 25% reduction in minimum Registered Retirement Income Fund for 2008
• We improved the flexibility and fairness of the Canada Pension Plan through measures in the 2009 CPP Triennial Review
• We are implementing an important reform plan to improve the federal private pension legislative and regulatory framework
• We modernized and streamlined the application process for the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security, making it easier for seniors to apply and receive these benefits
• We introduced automatic renewal of the GIS benefit, so eligible seniors who file a tax return each year after their initial application no longer have to reapply for the benefit every year

• Pension regulation and tax changes to encourage more retirement savings by allowing broad-based, defined contribution pension arrangements for multiple employers, employees and the self-employed
• Promoting financial literacy to empower individuals to make the best decisions and take more responsibility for their own retirement and
• A modest, phased-in, and fully funded enhancement to the Canada Pension Plan