Thank you to the committee for your interest in the work of the national seniors council and for inviting us here today.
In accordance to the introductory protocols of my culture, I will introduce myself.
[Witness spoke in Anishinaabemowin and provided the following text:]
Pam Williamson niin. Mnido Mnising, Ontario n’doonjii baa. Moose Deer Point First Nation niindoodemine, n’me n’doodem.
[Witness provided the following translation:]
My name is Pam Williamson. I'm from Manitoulin Island, Ontario. My first nation is Moose Deer Point, and I'm from the Sturgeon clan.
[English]
I've been a member of the council since 2021 and have been its chairperson since July 2024. In addition to my role as the national seniors council chair, I have extensive experience in community-based primary health care, having served in an administrative role in an indigenous primary health care organization. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of championing programs that support the holistic health and well-being of indigenous elders, including former residential school students.
Some of you may be familiar with the national seniors council, but for those who may not be, the council was established in 2007 with a clear purpose to offer thoughtful, evidence-based advice to the Government of Canada on issues that affect the health, well-being and overall quality of life for older adults. We provide this advice through the Minister of Jobs and Families, in connection with the Secretary of State for Seniors and the Minister of Health.
While we have not conducted a dedicated review focused specifically on the abuse and financial vulnerability of older women, we have examined many topics that intersect with this issue, including aging at home, caregiving, social isolation, financial crimes and harms, housing needs and many more. These are complex issues and are often interconnected, affecting people's lives in very real ways. Throughout our work, we consider the needs of the more vulnerable groups of older adults when developing our advice.
There are two relevant reports that we'd like to bring to your attention.
The aging at home report was done in 2024. The purpose of the report was to examine what could be done to further support Canadians to age in their homes and communities. The final report included 20 recommendations across three major areas. An area of focus was to improve financial supports for lower-income older adults, who often are women. We specifically recommended introducing a new age-at-home benefit, increasing the guaranteed income supplement and supporting innovative affordable housing options.
The second report, “Financial Crimes and Harms Against Seniors”, was completed in 2019. Unfortunately, the issues of financial crimes and harms against older adults in this area are changing.... Especially in this area, the landscape is changing quickly. Unfortunately, the risks are growing.
Some of the major themes that came out of the report and the discussions held with many different groups and individuals were the increasing sophistication and variety of financial crimes; heightened risk factors; barriers faced when reporting fraud; the need for stronger regulation, accountability and penalties for perpetrators; awareness of available tools and programs; the critical role of community organizations; and the need for more research.
Dr. Kelly, a fellow council member, will now walk you through some of our more recent work.
Meegwetch. Thank you.