LETTER

ELECTIONS 2017

Questions for candidates: Importance of seniors

 

Canadians cannot afford to shut out our seniors. For the first time in history, there are more elderly citizens than young people living in Canada. Seniors can be our greatest asset—and challenge.

Seniors have knowledge, time, experience, and wealth—all critical elements to building a successful community. But if ignored, they leave. This is how small towns can lose their foundations, and communities can crumble.

There are positive ways to approach this challenge. Can we start a public discussion on these topics: Why older generations are an asset and a challenge;  How communities can address this population shift for future prosperity;  Senior Housing:  look at the mistakes most towns make when it comes to senior communities, and how to make them more accessible, more modernized, and offer a better quality of life; and, finally, the value of senior volunteers -- how to establish an excellent senior volunteer base for many local events and organizations.

Doug Griffiths
(author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community)