On October 1, 2015, over 40 CARP chapters raised CARP flags in honour of National Seniors Day, calling for action on retirement income security, health care reform, housing, and income inequality. Chapters invited local members, politicians, and school choirs to help celebrate the contributions of older adults in their communities.

CARP National’s flag raising event took place at Toronto City Hall, in joint collaboration with our GTA Chapters,  represented by Gary Hepworth from the Etobicoke Chapter, Stewart  Nam from the North York Chapter, Gary Butler from the Scarborough Chapter, and Adina Lebo from the Toronto- Downtown Chapter. Highlights of the event included speeches by Pam McConnell, Deputy Mayor of Toronto, who recognized the importance of intergenerational relationships, and Toronto- Danforth Green Party candidate Chris Tolley, who committed to establishing safer communities for seniors if elected.

 

Deputy Mayor, Pam McConnel, addresses CARP members at CARP National Flag Raising in Toronto

 

Etobicoke Chapter Chair Gary Butler said that celebrating with flag raising events “in over 70% of our chapter communities across Canada at the same time reinforces the important role CARP plays in promoting and protecting the interests, rights, and quality of life for all Canadians as we age.”

Our friends in the west felt the same way. The Richmond CARP chapter held their event at Richmond City Hall in BC, and was joined by Minister of State for Seniors Alice Wong, provincial MLA John Yap, Richmond’s Acting Mayor Chak Kwong Au, and six other city council members. Local Chapter Chair Victor Paul said that the event was “very successful and positive!”

 

 

CARP’s Richmond Chapter Flag Raising with Minister Alice Wong, provincial MLA John Yap, Richmond’s Acting Mayor Chak Kwong Au, and city councilors

 

CARP’s Montreal-West Chapter also held a successful event. Chapter Chair, Lee Royko felt it was a “great community moment, with participants of all ages from 8 to 83 involved in celebrating and acknowledging seniors’ vast contributions to building our communities.”

In addition, Seniors Vote, a collaboration between CARP and 50 like-minded senior groups, also participated in similar events across the country. Together, we were able to raise the concerns of older Canadians, call for action on retirement income security, and demand federal leadership on health care transformation. As the election approaches and a new government forms, older Canadians will continue to pay close attention to the commitments and actions of our country’s leaders.

Thank you to the older Canadians who paved the way and continue to fight for a better Canada.

 

CARP’s Halifax Chapter flag raising with Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and several city councilors

CARP’s Sudbury Chapter flag raising  

CARP’s Winnipeg Chapter flag raising

CARP’s Ajax-Pickering Chapter with Ajax Mayor Steve Parish, Pickering Mayor David Ryan, and other city councilors