Premier John Horgan and Ronna-Rae Leonard, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors, have released the following statement in recognition of B.C. Seniors’ Week 2020:

“B.C. Seniors’ Week is an opportunity to honour an important group of people – seniors who have spent their lives building our province and shaping our communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected seniors. Our hearts go out to families and friends of seniors who have lost their lives to this virus. We know it’s incredibly hard for people who are unable to visit their loved ones and can only imagine what a lonely and frightening time this is for elders and those who care for them. Finding new ways to connect and following provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s orders are ways to show we care.

“Today, people who are over 65 make up about 20% of British Columbia’s population, and this number will grow in the coming years. Our government is working to make sure seniors can live safe, active and socially engaged lives, whether independently at home or in assisted care. We are investing more than $1 billion over three years to improve the quality of care for seniors.

“To support seniors during COVID-19, B.C. is funding added supports through local community service agencies and the expansion of bc211 to the North and Interior. Now, seniors throughout the province can dial 211 to connect with local volunteers who are ready to help with things like picking up groceries and prescriptions, meal delivery, friendly phone calls and virtual social visits.

“This week, we encourage British Columbians to reach out to a senior in their life. If you’re not already doing so, think about how you can offer a helping hand to elders in your community. Doing our part to keep B.C.’s COVID-19 curve flat is one of the best ways we can honour seniors.

“During this challenging time, making sacrifices to help protect the most vulnerable are acts of compassion. Coming together to support each other is how we will get through this crisis and be stronger than before.”

For a Chinese translation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.06.01_STMT_Seniors_Week-Chinese.pdf

For a French translation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.06.01_STMT_Seniors_Week-FR.pdf

For a Punjabi translation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.06.01_STMT_Seniors_Week-Punjabi.pdf