Buenas tardes. Permítanme comenzar por agradecerles a nuestros anfitriones españoles por su cálida bienvenida y amable hospitalidad. Es para mí un gran placer poder estar en este hermoso país.

(Good afternoon.  Let me start by thanking our Spanish hosts for your warm welcome and hospitality.  It is a great pleasure to spend time in your beautiful country.) 

I am delighted to represent Canada and bring best wishes for a successful World Assembly from our Government, as well as from our Minister Responsible for Seniors, the Honourable Anne McLellan. 

Listening to previous speakers, I’ve been impressed by the progress that has taken place – the world over – in advancing the directions from the first International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted at the first World Assembly on Ageing in Vienna, two decades ago.

The many achievements highlighted thus far are a tribute to the UN, its member states and the leaders who foresaw the long-term benefits of international cooperation, as well as the challenges that all our countries would face with the tremendous growth in the number of people living longer lives.  This is a great achievement for humanity, and Canada joins the other countries of the world in applauding this success.  We believe that the implications of an aging society will be profound and enduring, and that we need to work together to address this significant social change. 

I am proud to report that Canada has been a partner in addressing aging issues contained in the original International Plan and that its governments have helped Canadians improve their health and financial security in their senior years.  They have also supported the important roles that older persons play in our society – whether in the workplace, in volunteer organizations, or within families and communities.

For example, there has been a dramatic decline in poverty among Canada’s seniors over the last two decades, thanks largely to an effective mix of public and private retirement income programs. 

We have also made great strides in terms of maintaining and improving the health of seniors.  Most Canadians live their later years in good health and can expect to live long lives, with some of the highest life expectancy levels in the world – 81.5 years for women and 76 years for men. 

Canadian seniors want to live these years as active participants.  They have told us that the principles of dignity, independence, participation, fairness and security – adapted from the United Nations Principles for Older Persons – are extremely important. We have used these principles as the foundation for our own National Framework on Aging.  These principles continue to provide guidance for all our policies and programs geared to older persons.

Canada applauds the work that has gone into developing a new International Plan of Action on Ageing, and fully supports its priority themes: of older persons and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and, ensuring enabling and supportive environments.  These themes will serve all countries well as they adjust to the upcoming demographic changes – whether older persons now represent a small or a large part of their populations.

We are particularly supportive of the special needs that developing countries have in responding to these challenges and are delighted that these concerns have received recognition in this International Plan.  We are also pleased that the diversity of seniors’ issues and needs are identified – gender differences, income, health and disability levels, urban and rural differences, ethnic or Aboriginal origins – to name just a few.  Diversity suggests a need for flexibility and choice when we think about adapting to an aging population. 

Canada is also a land of diversity and will be able to benefit from the experiences of participants in this Assembly.  Similarly we are looking forward to sharing some of our experiences based on the priorities and choices that we have made. 

Canada’s priorities for our seniors and aging population include:
 

•   improving health, well-being and independence in later life;
•   enhancing the participation of older Canadians in economic and social life;
•   strengthening supportive environments for seniors within Canada; and
•   sustaining government programs benefiting older Canadians.

 As the knowledge economy continues to develop and change, Canada remains committed to ensuring lifelong learning for all its citizens.  Our government recently launched a national Skills and 

Learning Agenda.  This Agenda recognizes the necessity of renewing peoples’ skills at every age and stage of life, both to benefit older persons and to ensure a strong and vibrant workforce today and in the future. 

 Federal and provincial governments are working to develop appropriate health and social services to accommodate the changing needs of Canadians. We need to continue to help Canada move along the path toward a healthier, more caring and equitable society – one that strives for fairness in giving all age groups an opportunity to meet their optimal human development potential.

 It is increasingly important that societies draw from the contributions of all their citizens – the young, the older and the very old – in order to build a stronger society for all ages.  We also need to bring all the sectors together - government, civil society, academic and private -  to ensure that we develop supportive environments for all.

 We are optimistic that, like its predecessor, this Second World Assembly on Ageing will serve as a springboard for working together nationally and internationally on the challenges we are all facing.

 Canada pledges to work in productive partnership with our fellow members of the United Nations as we modernize the International Plan for Action on Ageing for the benefit of older men and women – the world over – both for today and tomorrow. 

 Thank you.