Thank you.
I'd like to thank both of the witnesses for coming here today and contributing to this study, and for their advocacy on behalf of older Canadians. Thank you for that. As we gain a fulsome understanding of the impact of the pandemic on seniors, your testimony will help paint a clear picture of how we can better support seniors.
Ms. Newman, I would have to agree with you. I am a member of Parliament for a rural riding, and I believe that access to the Internet is imperative. We need that, especially when everybody is locked in their homes and kids are doing school and seniors can only FaceTime or Zoom with others. I absolutely agree with you.
We have heard about the importance of choice and autonomy in helping seniors age and live with dignity. Ms. Newman, could you share with this committee what role, if any, age-friendly communities played in supporting seniors throughout the pandemic?