The City of Toronto prides itself on being an accessible and accommodating place for people of every background and ability. However, much more work is needed to ensure that Toronto is a safe, navigable, affordable, accessible and enjoyable city for one of its fastest growing demographics - seniors. That is why I introduced a motion, passed by Council in April, to ask the City to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to ensure that Toronto will soon be ready to serve the needs of our city’s seniors.
There have been efforts made in the past to be proactive on this matter, including the Seniors Task Force, Senior’s Forum and the age-friendly cities initiative. However, at present Toronto is still unprepared to provide a high quality of life to its 1 in 5 residents that will be over the age of 65 by 2035. Statistics Canada states that a significant number of seniors live in abject poverty or are homeless and the largest problem for senior-led households is affordability, especially for tenants.
Roughly one in every four seniors in Toronto lives alone. Work must be started now to find additional health and long term care, recreational and continuing education services, programs and facilities that will support our aging population. In addition, public transportation, building design and traffic infrastructure must be modified to accommodate and address the needs of those over the age of 65 with mobility challenges.
Our senior citizens built this community into the vibrant, beautiful midtown-Toronto collection of neighbourhoods we enjoy today. Let’s honour them by creating a Toronto that is accessible for everyone.
Dear residents,
I am very pleased to share the proposed Toronto Seniors Strategy with you. As chair of the Toronto Seniors Strategy subcommittee, I am so grateful to our communities, experts and staff whom have contributed so much to this important and substantive work over the past two years.
Our City's new Seniors Strategy is a proactive, holistic and inclusive initiative that seeks to create a truly age-friendly Toronto.
Click here to read the Toronto Seniors Strategy.
The Seniors Strategy will be presented to the Community Development and Recreation Committee which will be held on Wednesday, April 17 at 9:30am at City Hall, Committee Room 1. Please click here to view the agenda item. Through that link, you will also find buttons at the very top of the page to submit comments on the public record or to request to speak in front of the committee on April 17 by making a deputation.
I encourage you to share your feedback and insights!
Sincerely,
Josh
Last week, I joined Steve Paikin to discuss Finding Gold in the Golden Years - what governments should be doing to help ensure everyone's retirement years are good, active, and fulfilling. My co-panelists were:
Susan Eng, Vice President of Advocacy, CARP
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director, Geriatrics, Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospitals in Toronto
Louise Binder, Health Care Advocate
On October 11, 2012, I gave a presentation at the University of Toronto Institute for Life Course and Aging about building an age-friendly Toronto. Please click here to view the video. You can also download my slide deck.
June 28, 2012
Keynote Presentation at the City of Toronto's 2012 Seniors Forum
Dr. Samir K. Sinha MD, DPhil, FRCPC
Provincial Lead, Ontario’s Seniors Care Strategy
Director of Geriatrics Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospitals
Assistant Professor of Medicine University of Toronto and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
As the City develops a strategy for seniors, this is your opportunity to celebrate seniors, and provide ideas to improve City services and programs.
As the City of Toronto develops a strategy for seniors, this is your opportunity to celebrate seniors, and provide ideas to improve City services and programs.
Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street
The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, 2nd floor
Thursday June 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event includes:
Refreshments and light lunch will be provided.
Come and lend your voice to the fun and discussion!
Space is limited, register by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 416-392-5617.
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