The McGuinty government, with its federal and municipal partners, has launched www.seniorsinfo.ca making it easier for older adults to access information, programs and services from all levels of government Ontario Minister Responsible for Seniors, Jim Bradley announced today.
Need to find out whether you may be eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement? Want information about OHIP coverage, or a special seniors program at your local library? This innovative website will eliminate the need to run around from one place to another in search of information.
"The portal is a wonderful communication tool and I hope the ratepayers in Galway-Cavendish and Harvey take advantage of this new media for communication. The Township of Galway-Cavendish and Harvey would like to thank the Provincial Government for this important initiative," said Reeve Tom Flynn.
Galway-Cavendish Harvey is just one of 22 Ontario communities which have developed a unique website for their seniors.
Ontario's seniors population is expected to more than double to 3.2 million by 2028. The McGuinty government has been investing to help meet the challenges and opportunities posed by the province's aging population, including:
- Increasing the number of cataract surgeries by 16 per cent and increasing the number of hip and knee replacements by 28 per cent by December 2006.
- Partnering with the Federal Government and local municipalities to invest more than $600 million for up to 15,000 new units of affordable housing, and provide rent subsidies for up to 5,000 lower income households. Ontario seniors will be among those who benefit from more affordable housing, and new housing projects targeted to seniors are already underway. The first wave of new funding was allocated to municipalities in August 2005.
- Ending mandatory retirement effective December 2006.
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Backgrounder:
What is SeniorsInfo.ca?
- SeniorsInfo.ca is a new and exciting website that provides a single window of information about programs and services for seniors offered by the federal, provincial and municipal governments and local community agencies.
- Through the SeniorsInfo.ca website, seniors, their family members and service providers will be able to quickly and conveniently choose a topic of interest (e.g., income supports) and find integrated information from different levels of government.
- This innovative website for seniors is the result of a new level of collaboration among government jurisdictions to use technology to help seniors access the services and information in an easy, stress-free and convenient way.
- Sponsored by the Canadian Seniors' Partnership, the partnership is co-chaired by the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat and Veterans Affairs Canada.
How does SeniorsInfo.ca Work?
- SeniorsInfo.ca set a "three-click maximum" to reach the information being sought.
- Information on SeniorsInfo.ca is "people-focused" to serve the needs of seniors rather than the needs of government.
- The information can be accessed via popular Internet search engines, and from any federal or provincial website, using their search feature.
- The City of Brockville was the first municipality to become a partner in the SeniorsInfo.ca initiative.
- Brockville has a sizeable seniors' population, a strong information technology business base and ongoing interest in e-government.
- Brockville seniors and service providers have been actively involved in the design of SeniorsInfo.ca. They have given feedback through focus groups and participated in an advisory group.
- Since then, 22 other municipalities have become SeniorsInfo.ca partners (see attached list).
North
- Town of Blind River
- Municipality of Greenstone
Southeast
- Municipality of North Grenville
- Township of North Kawartha
- Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
- Township of Asphodel-Norwood
- Township of Galway-Cavendish and Harvey
- Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield
- Haliburton County
- City of Brockville
Southwest
- Bruce County
- Municipality of Arran-Elderslie
- Municipality of South Bruce
- Township of Huron-Kinloss
- Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
- Town of Saugeen Shores
- Town of South Bruce Peninsula
- Municipality of Brockton
- Municipality of Kincardine
- Town of Hanover
- Township of Georgian Bluffs
- Municipality of Huron East
Autor(en)/Author(s): Rhonda Lindsay
Quelle/Source: Canada NewsWire, 17.08.2006
