Hello,
I hope that everyone enjoyed a meaningful National Seniors Day on October 1st. Each of you continue to make a profound impact on our lives and society. Whether as mentors, teachers, grandparents or cherished friends, we are deeply grateful for your daily involvement in our lives; you are a source of inspiration for us all. Your generous contributions have helped build our families, our communities, our workplaces, and our country.
If you haven’t viewed it already, here is my video commemorating the day.
Although these are busy times, we’re moving forward with determination! Last month, the call for proposals for the community-based stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program closed. I am pleased to share that this year we received over 5,000 proposals from across Canada! In the coming months, there will be more information on next steps, so stay tuned!
I also wanted to take a moment to commemorate Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of all Canadian women through history who have paved the way for future generations.
October is also Cyber Security Awareness Month. You will find safety tips and much more in this edition.
If you think your friends or colleagues would find it helpful, please forward them this email so they can sign up to receive my updates.
Thanks for reading.
Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Seniors
Responding to Dementia’s Challenges through Research Partnerships
In the last two decades, the number of Canadians living with dementia more than doubled, and as our population ages, the number of new dementia cases is expected to continue increasing.
The Dementia Research and Innovation Funders Alliance fosters collaboration among people with lived experience of dementia, and funders and partners involved in dementia research and innovation. It enables them to speak with one voice to align their strategy for dementia research investment in Canada.
The newly formed Alliance is a key component of the Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative. The Research Initiative is led by the Institute of Aging, one of 13 institutes of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada’s federal health research funder.
The BHCIA Research Initiative promotes research into brain health during aging, such as risk reduction, and addresses the complex care needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers. This current investment of $79 million by the Government of Canada and its partners funds 16 strategic programs that are aligned with Canada’s national strategy on dementia.
Collaborations like the Alliance are paving the way for a future where dementia can be better understood, prevented and, eventually, treated. To learn more about this, visit the national strategy on dementia.
Connecting Families Initiative
Canadians need access to high-quality Internet services at affordable prices. Whether you are staying connected with loved ones or registering for government benefits and services, a significant part of life is now online.
The Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) provides more affordable Internet services to eligible Canadians. The program is overseen by the Government of Canada, while Internet service providers across the country cover the cost of discounted plans.
CFI helps families and people aged 65+ stay connected without breaking the bank.
- Families that receive the maximum amount of the Canada Child Benefit
- Canadians over the age of 65 who are:
- receiving the maximum amount of the Guaranteed Income Supplement
- single with an annual income under the Old Age Security program of less than $4,000
- in a couple with a combined annual income under the Old Age Security program of less than $8,000
Eligible recipients are evaluated based on their annual household income. Make sure your yearly tax returns are submitted on time to ensure you do not miss out on this opportunity. If you qualify, you will receive a letter from the Government of Canada with an access code to sign up through the CFI online portal. Additionally, those eligible for the program can request a low-cost computer while supplies last.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, a list of participating service providers, and frequently asked questions, visit the CFI website.
Travelling south? Travel smart!
Whether you’re planning for a short or long trip, heading south takes preparation. Here is some pre-departure advice that will help you enjoy the sun while staying safe:
- Check the travel advice and advisories for your destination
- Protect yourself with travel insurance
- Register as a Canadian abroad
Whether you aim to broaden your horizons, meet new people or simply relax, travelling is also a chance to create lasting memories. By following the advice above, Canadian snowbirds can plan a more enjoyable, stress-free trip to the South, where the sun shines and memories are made at every moment!
Celebrating National Seniors Day!
Older adults offer a wealth of experience, knowledge and memories that ground and inspire Canadians every day in our families, workplaces and communities!
On October 1, Canada celebrated National Seniors Day, a special occasion to honour and appreciate the contributions of older adults to our communities and society. This day serves as a reminder of the invaluable wisdom, experience and resilience that seniors bring to our lives.
National Seniors Day also marks the one-year anniversary of the Retirement Hub, which continues to help Canadians plan for their retirement. It’s never too early or too late to learn about your retirement options and plan for your future. Find out about public pensions and when to take them, and get tips regarding your retirement income.
As we come out of our celebrations, it’s crucial we continue to recognize the diverse roles older adults play, from guiding younger generations to remaining active and engaged in various aspects of community life. Whether through volunteering, mentoring or simply sharing their stories, older Canadians enrich our lives in countless ways.
Women’s History Month
October also marks Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive country.
This year’s theme, “Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future,” emphasizes the significant contributions women have made to the workforce throughout history, and the critical role they continue to play in driving economic innovation and progress that has benefited Canada as a whole.
This month, all Canadians are encouraged to get involved, whether that means starting a conversation in your community, using the hashtag #WomensHistoryMonth on social media, or updating your education on the history of Canadian women!
Visit the Women’s History Month website to find more ideas on how to get involved and to download the Women’s History Month 2024 digital toolkit!
Cyber Security Awareness Month
Canada’s online security is more crucial now than it ever has been before. We are constantly reading and seeing on the news how Canadians are being victimized by cyber-related crime.
Cyber Security Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn how we can best protect ourselves and our loved ones and discuss our safety while navigating the online world.
This month, get informed on the simple steps to take to protect ourselves and our devices. Some of these steps include:
- securing your accounts with such things as strong passphrases and enabling multi-factor authentication;
- securing your devices, like computers, laptops, smartphones and smart TVs—if it connects to the Internet, it needs to be secure; and
- securing your connections, especially while using public Wi-Fi.
Your online accounts can contain a lot of valuable personal and sensitive information. By making sure your accounts are secure, you are ensuring that your personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Want to test your cyber security knowledge? Take the Get Cyber Safe Checkup! The results of the quiz will help identify some areas of cyber security that you may need to brush up on. You can never be too safe.
As our technology is ever evolving, remaining vigilant and aware of new cyber threats is one way to be cyber safe. Bookmark GetCyberSafe.ca and check it often for tips so you and your loved ones can stay safe online.