Minister Carl DeFaria
calls on all Ontarians to fight elder abuse
TORONTO,
Nov. 20 /CNW/ - Minister of Citizenship and Minister Responsible for
Seniors Carl DeFaria has called on all Ontarians to send a clear message
that elder
abuse will not be tolerated.
"We will not tolerate elder abuse in
Ontario. Our seniors need to know that
every person in Ontario supports the fight against elder abuse," said
DeFaria.
"Our government is committed to a province where all seniors can live
in safety
and with dignity."
The minister lauded the work of the two-day
Ontario Elder Abuse Conference
that wrapped up in Toronto yesterday. The conference was co-sponsored by
the Ontario government and the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder
Abuse (ONPEA).
"This week's conference reaffirmed the need for all of us to
press forward with Ontario's Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse," said
DeFaria. "Bit by bit, we're getting the word out. This is an
uncomfortable topic for many people, but the tragedy of elder abuse needs
to be publicly confronted. We need to send a clear message that elder
abuse has no place in our communities."
Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks, ONPEA Chair, echoed the minister's
challenge to Ontarians. "Our organization is delighted to partner
with the Ontario Seniors Secretariat and the Ministry of the Attorney
General in implementing Ontario's $4.3 million Elder Abuse Strategy. The
strategy is an excellent example of seniors, service providers and
government working together on a common problem."
Minister DeFaria yesterday called on faith leaders attending the
conference to work with seniors to identify and eliminate elder abuse, and
to raise awareness and involve members of their faith in the fight.
The minister today spoke with more than 100 Ontario seniors,
volunteers and service providers who are meeting to discuss how the
lessons learned from the 460 delegates representing 12 countries and eight
provinces can be applied in communities across Ontario.