Thank you.
I will begin with an overview of the organization I represent. Then, I will discuss the topic at hand.
The FADOQ network is composed of affiliated organizations. It aims to bring together people 50 years of age and over and represent them in various forums to ensure recognition of their rights and needs. Its mission is also to promote the participation of seniors in society by organizing activities and programs for people 50 years of age and over. The network currently has 265,000 members, making it the largest organization representing people 50 years of age and over in Quebec.
In the next few minutes, I will focus my remarks on three main issues: the economic vulnerability of older women that makes them more likely to suffer abuse; inconsistencies in the health care system that place them in a situation bordering on negligence; and dignity and respect for older women.
Let's first talk about the economic gap between older men and women. Because of today's socio-economic circumstances, women over the age of 65 have benefited the least from policies aimed at equality between women and men in the labour market. The vast majority of these women remained at home for years to raise their children, as was the norm at the time. Those who entered the labour market did so towards the end of their working lives and held typically female, low-paying jobs. When advancements were first being made in the workforce, many women in this age group were already at the end of what would have been considered their working life. Moreover, many of them did not have the time to make sufficient gains in terms of personal savings or contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan/Canada Pension Plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.