Government of Canada Working to Protect Seniors from Elder Abuse

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition congratulates the Canadian government for its commitment to eliminate elder abuse in Canada.

We urge every member of parliament to oppose Bill C-384, the bill by Francine Lalonde to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada, based on the fact that it is a recipe for elder abuse.

Bill C-384 does not require the person to be lucid, there are no witnesses at the time of death to ensure the person's consent and the Coroner oversight is all but illusory.

The government press release follows:
By: Marketwire .
Feb. 11, 2010

CALGARY, ALBERTA - (Marketwire) - 02/11/10 - To raise awareness of the abuse of older adults in Canada, the Government of Canada has approved funding for 16 projects through the Elder Abuse Awareness component of its New Horizons for Seniors Program.

The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors), made the announcement today in Calgary on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"Our government is protecting seniors by fighting elder abuse in all its forms, from physical abuse to financial and emotional abuse," said Minister of State Ablonczy. "These projects will support programs and activities across Canada that increase awareness of elder abuse while improving quality of life, as well as safety and security, for seniors."

Today's announcement represents an investment of more than $1.5 million to prevent abuse against older adults across the country.

"Our government takes the fight against elder abuse very seriously," said Minister of State Ablonczy. "We want everyone to know that it cannot and will not be tolerated, and that help is available. Seniors deserve to live with dignity and respect, and we as a government are committed to help ensure that their quality of life is not diminished by abuse of any kind."

The announcement was made at the office of the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens' Association, which received funding for its project called Hidden in the Cultural Fabric - Elder Abuse and Neglect in Ethno-cultural Communities in Alberta. This project will help older ethno-cultural Albertans increase their knowledge and understanding of elder abuse and neglect to develop their own solutions to the issues that impact them the most.

"In Alberta, there has been very little study on elder abuse in ethno-cultural communities," said Dr. Daniel W. L. Lai, Professor and Associate Dean (Research and Partnerships), Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. "This project will be the first study undertaken which specifically explores and encompasses the needs of ethno-cultural older adults related to elder abuse and neglect."

The projects announced today fall under the Elder Abuse Awareness component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which supports national and regional projects. With the two other components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program-Community Participation and Leadership and Capital Assistance-the overall budget of the Program is now $35 million per year.

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 5,500 projects across Canada, helping seniors to use their leadership, energy and skills to benefit our communities. For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

BACKGROUNDER

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities. The total budget for the NHSP is $35 million per year.

The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:

1. Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000 in funding): this funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.

2. Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000 in funding): this funding helps non-profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors' programs and activities. It enables seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.

3. Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 in funding annually over a maximum of three years): this funding helps non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.

Contacts:
Office of Minister Finley
Michelle Bakos Press Secretary
819-994-2482

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Media Relations Office at: 819-994-5559

Link to the media release: http://in.sys-con.com/node/1282269