CARP Chapter 03 Flag Raised at Halton Regional Centre on National Seniors Day

Posted on by CARP

Information posted October 16, 2015

Gary Carr, Regional Chair, Halton Region with Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 display the CARP Chapter 3 flag
Gary Carr, Regional Chair, Halton Region with Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 display the CARP Chapter 3 flag

National Seniors Day – is an occasion not only to recognize seniors and the valuable contributions they have made, and continue to make, in our families, workplaces and communities,  but also to celebrate the many people and organizations in our community – the people  who provide the many services needed by seniors –  and show our appreciation for everything they do.

Gary Carr, Regional Chair, Halton Region addresses Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 along with onlookers on hand for the formal flag raising
Gary Carr, Regional Chair, Halton Region addresses Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 along with onlookers on hand for the formal flag raising

 

Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 chatting with John Winkels, Acting Communications Advisor Policy Integration and Communitations, Halton Region
Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 chatting with John Winkels, Acting Communications Advisor Policy Integration and Communitations, Halton Region

Mike Landsdown represented CARP and the Halton chapter and gave the following address:

Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 addresses the audience on behalf of the Chapter
Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 addresses the audience on behalf of the Chapter

I am honoured to represent the Halton chapter of CARP in today’s flag raising ceremony.  Tom Carrothers, the chair of our Halton chapter, could not be with us today because he is at Queens Park participating with the Ontario Health Coalition in a ceremony to recognize the needless deaths of 25 long-term care residents who died in Ontario in the last 10 years, as a result of resident on resident violence.  Tom is a great example of those in our community who are working for the improvement in the quality of life of seniors, and in this issue in our long-term care homes.

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization representing over 300,000 members.  We have numerous chapters across Canada, of which the Halton chapter is the oldest and probably the largest a.  Our Halton chapter numbers over 5000 members,

CARP is the national leader in advancing the needs and interests of Canadians as we age. Typical of the advocacy issues that we continue to pursue are:

  • pension reform
  • issues facing the health care system
  • the importance of caregivers
  • the rights of older workers
  • the need to eliminate elder abuse
  • creating age friendly communities and much more

As a local chapter, we maintain active and regular communications with our Halton membership, and work closely with the many social services for seniors in our region.

Mike also made special mention of the Older Adult Advisory Committee:

Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 chatting with John Winkels, Acting Communications Advisor Policy Integration and Communitations, Halton Region
Mike Lansdown, Director, CARP Halton Chapter 3 chatting with John Winkels, Acting Communications Advisor Policy Integration and Communitations, Halton Region

 

The United Nations passed a resolution in December 1990, designating 1 October as the International Day of older persons, which Canada celebrates as National Seniors Day.

National Seniors Day is an opportunity to reflect on and recognize with thanks and great appreciation the many people and organizations who are working to provide an improved quality of life for the seniors in our communities.  For this year, 2015, the United Nations selected a theme of:  “sustainability and age inclusiveness in the urban environment” for National Seniors Day.  Interestingly, this theme is a perfect fit for the “Older Adult Plan” which Halton Region is presently engaged in implementing .

I would like to single out for special comment the work being done by Halton Region’s Older Adult Advisory Committee, and particularly their Halton Region Older Adult Plan. This plan is designed to both engage and consider older adults in the development of regional policies and delivery of regional programs, and to support age friendly communities in Halton, where older adults can continue to be active, connected, and to age well while maintaining their independence.

In closing, I would like to thank Chair Carr for the Region’s recognition of National Seniors Day, and for the great working relationship which our chapter continues to enjoy with Regional staff on seniors issues.