Age-friendly communities are now eligible to receive grants to continue improvements that make life better for seniors, as part of an enhancement to the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative. This announcement was made by Premier Greg Selinger at the International Invited Symposium on Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities and Places.
“The unique new recognition program recognizes communities that have demonstrated leadership in making life better for their senior citizens,” said Selinger. “Congratulations to the first cities, towns and villages to demonstrate a commitment to age-friendly community life. You are leading the way in Manitoba and beyond.”
Pinawa, Portage la Prairie, The Pas, Springfield, Steinbach and Dunnottar have achieved their age friendly milestones and have been awarded a one-time grant to use for age friendly initiatives in their communities. Other communities are encouraged to participate in the recognition program and build diverse partnerships and engage in ongoing consultation and collaboration with older adults and other community members, said Selinger. By participating, communities are helping to build a strong foundation that further sustains the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative and moves the province forward in its goal of becoming the most age-friendly province in Canada, he added.
Selinger announced the enhancements to the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative at a public forum on how to make rural and remote communities better for aging populations. The forum kicks off a three day International Symposium on Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities and Places, hosted by the province and the University of Manitoba Centre on Aging. This is the first event of its kind in the world and delegates from 12 countries will attend including representatives from Australia, Bolivia, Cameroon, Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Peru, Russia, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and Uganda.
“We launched our age-friendly initiative four years ago and today we have 86 communities working toward being designated as age-friendly,” said Selinger. “We are committed to making Manitoba the most age-friendly province in Canada and to maintaining our role as a global leader in the age friendly movement.”
The Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative supports seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/shas/agefriendly.
