The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development.

Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as National Seniors’ Month.

Seniors have laid the foundations of our diverse and welcoming province and their leadership and wisdom continue to strengthen and enrich our communities.

Our government remains committed to fostering age-friendly communities and supporting the health and well-being of older adults and seniors.

Budget 2024 includes funding for a targeted Basic Income Pilot for eligible people aged 60-64, as well as a comprehensive Seniors’ Well-Being Plan. This plan will help to further improve access to supports and services for seniors to age well with dignity in the right place.

These initiatives are in addition to the many programs already in place to support healthy aging including the Seniors’ Social Inclusion Initiative, the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program, the Community Transportation Program, the Seniors’ Benefit and the Income Supplement.

Each year, the Seniors of Distinction Awards program acknowledges the remarkable contributions of seniors across Newfoundland and Labrador.

I extend my sincere appreciation for the work of our community partners that support seniors in our province as well as the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate.

I encourage everyone to honour and celebrate our province’s older adults and seniors for all they do to uplift our communities.

Thank you.