Raising Awareness, Changing Attitudes, Taking Action: Canada’s New Government protecting seniors from elder abuse and fraud

Good morning everyone, bienvenue.

I am so pleased to be here today at Nova Scotia’s brand new Department of Seniors to talk about an issue that, for too long, has not received the public profile it needs and deserves.

It is an issue for which, as in many different areas, the province of Nova Scotia and this Secretariat in particular, have been showing real leadership for a number years.

For too long, governments in Ottawa stood on the sidelines and did not play an active role in working to raise awareness, share best practices, and ultimately show seniors that there is help available.

That is now changing, thanks to Prime Minister Harper, and my colleagues in Cabinet – particularly the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Monte Solberg, and the Minister of Health, Tony Clement.

I am referring to the issue of elder abuse.

Today, I am using this opportunity to signal our government’s intention to take real action to combat elder abuse – in all its ugly forms.

Our government intends to show seniors that there is help available, and I want to be very clear about that today.

I am pleased our Seniors Council was able to join us this morning, and I will highlight the valuable work it is doing in just a few minutes.

What do we mean when we use the term – elder abuse? Governments understand elder abuse as the mistreatment of older people by those in a position of trust, who have the power or responsibility for their care.

It can also be from fraudsters and scam artists who gain the trust of people. Some abuse is at the hands of total strangers.

Elder abuse takes place in many ugly forms: physical, financial, emotional, psychological, spiritual ... even sexual. Neglect is also another form of abuse.

And we know that it happens, because we hear about it all the time.

• an elderly woman is defrauded of nearly $2000 when a man posing as her grandson calls her and asks for money to pay off a debt because he was in physical danger.
• a woman with dementia is locked in her room for up to 20 hours a day by her care provider, because she likes to wander and it is just “easier” to monitor her in this way.
• a Korean woman’s health deteriorates when she is moved to a seniors’ home, because the home serves food that is totally foreign to her.
• a son uses his father’s retirement savings to pay off his gambling debts, using intimidation and fear to get his father to sign the cheques.
• or, most recently in Ottawa where I live, a 93-year-old woman was sexually assaulted when a man entered the ground floor window of her seniors facility.

Elder abuse is a crime – a serious crime.

Seniors from all walks of life are vulnerable to abuse. And it is happening in all communities across this country.

As I said earlier, until now, the federal government has not given the issue of elder abuse the attention it deserves.

I am determined to change that, and my colleagues in Cabinet are equally determined to do the same.

When we speak of elder abuse, we know it is difficult to get an accurate picture of the problem because so few seniors are willing to speak out. Many seniors do not report abuse. Some are ashamed. Many are afraid. Many feel isolated. They may not want to create friction within their families.

And so, the data we have is very limited and does not tell the whole story.

Right now our best estimates based on 2002 data show us that between 4 and 10 per cent of seniors reported some form of abuse. That means about 345,000 seniors have experienced some sort of abuse over the last five years.

Another recent study by Statistics Canada reported that just 51 per cent – barely half – of incidents of violent crime committed against seniors were reported to police.

We can only study and learn from the elder abuse cases that are reported.

When seniors talk about what has happened to them, it gives other seniors the courage to do the same. When elder abuse is not reported, the wall of silence is allowed to continue.

That is why I am here on behalf of our government today.

In the weeks and months to come, you will see the federal government taking firm and decisive action. We intend to show seniors that elder abuse is wrong, that it will not be tolerated, that it is not their fault, that they do not deserve to be treated that way – and that there is help available.

We will do this in three ways.

1. Legislation. Canada’s Criminal Code contains many types of sanctions against elder abuse – including assault and neglect. These sanctions apply to all Canadians. Our government believes there is more we can do to prosecute those who prey on our most vulnerable, and we are already taking action.

Last week, Rob Nicholson, Canada’s Minister of Justice, announced that our government intends to introduce new legislation as soon as Parliament returns next Tuesday to combat identity theft and fraud.

Identity theft is a serious criminal activity that is more lucrative now than ever before.

I am sure everyone here knows someone who has been victimized by this crime. Identity theft is costly and emotionally devastating to its victims. Criminals and scam artists are doing irreparable damage to Canadians – particularly seniors.

When Parliament resumes, we are going to give police and law enforcement officials the tools they need to fight these crimes to protect our seniors before the damage is done.

2. Awareness. As I said before, seniors need to be aware that there is help available within their communities to cope. This begins on the front lines and in the communities in which they live.

But the federal government also has a role to play. To raise awareness. Provide support. Inform seniors of those services that are available. Help inform them of their legal rights. And support the real elder abuse experts – those people on the ground assisting victims.

3. Cooperation. Our government can only be successful with the help of its partners. That includes tapping into the important work already being done by the provinces.

Take Minister Bolivar-Getson here in Nova Scotia, for example. Nova Scotians should be very proud of their leadership on this issue. Nova Scotia has an elder abuse strategy and has passed legislation like the Protection of Persons in Care Act to legally protect the rights of seniors in care.

This issue will remain behind closed doors unless governments use the tools we have to reach out for seniors and get key advice on how to help.

Which brings me to the National Seniors Council, a new body established by our government shortly after I became Secretary of State for Seniors.

Our government has asked the Seniors Council to look at ways to reach out to our seniors’ communities on the existence of all aspects of elder abuse.

Throughout the month of September, the Council has been hard at work, holding regional meetings with seniors groups and experts on elder abuse. They have listened to people on the ground, looking for opportunities where the federal government could be more involved.

This week, our National Seniors Council is gathered here in Halifax to discuss what they have heard and begin work on a report which they will submit to our government.

I am delighted that our Council members were able to join us this morning and I want to take the time now to recognize their outstanding work, led, of course, by our Chair, Jean-Guy Souliere.

Our government asked the National Seniors Council to present advice to help us understand the barriers we face in helping seniors, and the barriers seniors face in getting help.

In the meantime, our government will continue to move forward with real solutions to help seniors who are victims of elder abuse, and keep them safe and secure in their community.

We will continue to move forward with our criminal justice agenda to protect Canadians, including seniors, from violent crime and gang violence. That means hiring more police officers, and making sure criminals who commit serious, violent crimes go to jail.

And while we are making sure our communities are safer for seniors, we are also making them stronger, and encouraging seniors to play an active role in the process.

Many of you are probably familiar with the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

In Budget 2007, we increased the budget for New Horizons by $10 million, from $25 to $35 million dollars.

A portion of this money will directly benefit seniors groups who can help raise awareness of elder abuse and fraud.

This is the action people expect from our government. Protecting our seniors from elder abuse and fraud, and protecting the communities in which they live. Seniors expect no less.

I have said this many times, and it is worth repeating: our seniors helped build this great country, and made it what it is today.

Because seniors invested so much in Canada, our government is going to continue to invest in seniors and their communities. And we will continue to deliver on the issues that matter to them.

Thank you.