FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
30/09/2026
Langley, BC : Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC celebrates October 1st, the International Day of the Older Person and speaks to the BC Election to put seniors first.
Vancouver BC – Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC (COSCO BC) joins with all Canadians to celebrate the contributions of older adults across Canada on October 1st.
The COSCO BC report Human Rights and Ageing: Advocating for an Equitable Future (1) not only honours the deep commitment of older adults to our families and communities, but challenges the government to make the province more inclusive of seniors’ voices. Our motto is “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
COSCO BC President, Leslie Gaudette says, “Seniors are not satisfied with being told what we need; we should be valued for what we can and are doing.. We are the bulk of volunteers in the province. We have experience and expertise to lead programs and services. We have human rights that cannot be ignored. Seniors know that changes must be made to make BC a more equitable place for everyone.”
We are all in the midst of a BC provincial election, and it is a timely one for seniors. Now is the moment to acknowledge and value the right for seniors to live with dignity and respect.
COSCO BC urges all parties to make seniors issues a major plank in their platforms. Improvements to existing services for seniors will make life easier for everyone – for adult children caring for their parents, for housing and transit for low-wage workers, and for non-profits and volunteers currently carrying the immense burden of serving community needs.
COSCO BC advocates for all provincial parties in this 2026 election to commit to:
- a seniors’ strategy and plan with accountability targets and timelines
- universal home support as an essential public service that forms the corner stone of team-based primary care
- deeply affordable non-market housing
- seniors’ centres as a core community-based service
- address inequities in health, and transportation in rural settings
- accessible age-friendly communities through housing, mobility and local planning
About COSCO BC
Established in 1950, the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organization (COSCO BC) is a charitable non-profit umbrella organization made up of 78 affiliated seniors’ organizations and individual associate members. COSCO BC represents more than 85,000 seniors across British Columbia. COSCO BC is run by volunteers including an elected Board of Directors. As the voice of BC seniors, our mandate is to promote the well-being of seniors and their families, advocating for policies that allow seniors to remain active, independent, and fully engaged in the life of our province. The organization is non-partisan, but politically active, advocating for seniors’ needs no matter who is in power.
Media Contact: For more information:
Leslie Gaudette
COSCO BC President
pres@coscobc.org
Cell phone: 778-908-5608 / Home Phone: 604-630-4201