That's an important question, particularly given that the secretary of state position is newer to government. It's been a while—since Harper—since these positions have existed. It's a great question.
My priority is to ensure that seniors in Canada can age in dignity within their communities, that they can stay in their communities and that they receive the benefits they've worked really hard for and to which they are entitled.
To ensure that, I am responsible for leading the coordination of efforts across the federal government that support seniors. We know that across departments there are things happening that affect seniors, for example, the actions that the Department of Finance has recently taken with respect to fraud and scams, which we know disproportionately affect seniors. I work closely with my colleagues to provide seniors' perspectives and to ensure they're taken into account.
I also oversee programs and initiatives that are specific to seniors that promote aging with dignity, combat isolation and deal with financial security. All of these measures are really central to the government's approach in ensuring we're bringing down the cost of living for Canadians and for seniors to help them get ahead.
I also play a leadership role on the program design with respect to the Canada pension plan, old age security, GIS and the Canada pension plan disability benefit. These pieces also exist not just within the seniors portfolio and ESDC but within the Department of Finance, because it's responsible for many of the investments and financial regulation pieces.
My role also includes helping seniors age with dignity and, as I mentioned, combatting social isolation. One of the key programs that we oversee and take care of out of my office is the New Horizons for Seniors program, which I know most MPs are really familiar with as this really impacts the seniors directly on the ground in their communities.
Underscoring the role that the provinces and territories play, I co-chair the federal-provincial-territorial ministerial table that's responsible for the seniors forum.
That's it in a nutshell.