I would first like to get back to the fact that, in Quebec—I can talk about Quebec—the program is funded by the ministère de la Famille et des Aînés. Two million dollars are invested annually to help towns implement what I call “the model”. That model has already contributed to an increase in seniors' participation in in-house steering committees. We now sometimes hear from seniors in city councils, although we had never thought about hearing from those people before. We are working with them, not only because they are voters, but also because they have something to say about their towns.
The model makes that possible and is funded by the ministère de la Famille et des Aînés. MAMROT, the department in charge of municipal infrastructures, funds a $9-million program for small transformation and municipal infrastructure projects to increase accessibility for people in their towns. Sometimes, that may involve installing an elevator or rebuilding sidewalks that were poorly thought out in some places. That way, these programs are making it possible to rethink or rebuild those infrastructures. That's part of the answer to your questions.
Regarding recognition, the question you asked is very important. The model must be recognized by the World Health Organization. I think that now, in English Canada, work is being done with the Public Health Agency of Canada. Personally, as a researcher, I have been recognized by the World Health Organization from the beginning, and the models used have been adopted by that organization. We are also recognized by the ministère de la Famille et des Aînés du Québec. Criteria are currently being implemented, especially criteria on social participation based on the model. In fact, people need to participate from the outset, not only as consumers, but also as citizens. This model must be examined.
I am currently working with a research team on assessing the implementation and the impact on towns. We sometimes work on achievement indicators for those programs. Recently, I made a presentation on that topic in Ireland. I did not mention that in my presentation because it is more research-oriented. This is a very important issue, and I know that Manitoba has adopted a recognition policy to prevent non-participating towns from calling themselves “senior-friendly”. That way, each province would plan assessment procedures. However, we are all working together, with the Public Health Agency of Canada, on developing those recognition criteria.
Does that answer your questions?