Government of Canada recognizes contributions of older workers in the workforce

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos (Facebook photo)

OTTAWA, Ontario – The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, spoke today about the importance of encouraging and supporting the ongoing participation of older workers in society at the Age‑Friendly Business Initiative Forum, hosted by the International Longevity Centre (ILC) Canada and the University of Ottawa. Minister Duclos recognized the valuable skills and knowledge that older workers bring to the workplace, and he congratulated ILC Canada for bringing together government, the private sector, researchers and stakeholders to work towards creating age-friendly businesses.

The Government of Canada works collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to promote the well-being of older Canadians across the country. Budget 2016 delivers on the Government’s agenda to empower all Canadians to build better lives for themselves and to enable them to contribute to, and share in, the prosperity of the country.

While recognizing many Canadians will continue to work past the traditional retirement age, Budget 2016 makes the goal of a comfortable and dignified retirement more attainable for working Canadians, through measures such as restoring the age of eligibility for Old Age Security benefits from 67 to 65. In addition, Budget 2016 proposes to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up by $947 annually for the most vulnerable single seniors.

“Our population is aging – we need to dispel myths about older workers and encourage age-friendly businesses that support, attract and retain older workers so they can continue to contribute to our economy and our communities. Our government recognizes the important contributions of older Canadians in our country, and we will continue to work with partners and stakeholders in building a secure future for all Canadians,” said the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.