International Day of Older Persons Recognition
Motion 23 · Standing Committee of Council on City Finance and Services, April 22, 2026
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Transcript
11 segments
Okay, Councillor Maloney, you have two minutes to introduce your motion.
Okay. Thanks very much. Seniors are an integral part of our city. They represent more than a quarter of Vancouver's population and they play a vital role in our community as consumers, employers, employees, volunteers, as leaders in our city's political, cultural, economic and spiritual life. Ensuring Vancouver is a seniors-friendly and accessible city is a strategic priority of this council. And Vancouver's older person strategic framework includes celebrating aging and raising awareness of the issues impacting older persons. By joining the World Health Organization's global network for age-friendly cities and communities, we've also recently reaffirmed our commitment to build an inclusive city. Since my election, I've been proud to work alongside the Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee, which advises council on strengthening access and inclusion of elders and seniors across city services and civic life. The motion I'm bringing forward today is a reflection of their recommendations. Making the International Day of Older Persons an official city celebration sends a clear message to elders and seniors that their city sees them, values their contributions and is committed to keeping them supported and connected. Recognising this day gives us a meaningful occasion each year to educate the public, mobilise resources and celebrate what older Vancouverites bring to this city. For several years now, the city has already been issuing a proclamation on October 1st. It's time to make it official.
Thank you.
Thanks very much, Chair. I'd like to second that motion. Is Councillor Klassen?
Okay, so Councillor Clausen seconded. We will now hear from the registered speaker for this motion. Public speakers should stay whether they are in support or in opposition of the recommendations, and they may only speak once. I will also ask speakers if they are residents of Vancouver, if it is not noted on the speaker's list. Our first and only public speaker is Verosh Umuchin.
Yeah, good evening, good night, fellow councillors. and mayor i guess it's getting late but i'll be brief i live in vancouver and i am the chair of the opiac older people elder advisory committee i'm here on behalf of opiac to encourage you to support this motion your commitment to making vancouver in each friendly city aligns with council's vibrant vancouver priority OPIAC and seniors serving organizations have advocated for years regarding this adoption. This will confirm to making lives of older adults better in Vancouver. Seniors living in Vancouver face significant challenges, as we know, related to housing, accessibility, community services and resources, and climate resilience. This recognition presents a promising model for fostering positive change by bettering the quality of life for elders. Our community partners will benefit immensely. As the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Cuderas says so eloquently, as this year's theme reminds us that older persons are powerful agents of change, their voices must be heard. in shaping policies, ending age discrimination, and building inclusive societies. Just as a note, OPIAC's intention is not to request funding support at this time, but a recognition similar to the Sikh Heritage Month. So with this, I will end my participation. Thank you.
Thank you. Okay, so this is the end of the speaker's list. Thank you, Varosh, for speaking to the Standing Committee on City Finance and Services. Committee members, is there any discussion? Councillor Clausen.
Yeah, just very quick. Thanks very much. Really appreciate this motion. I know that we've had conversations with our protocol team at City of Vancouver in the past. and uh this um bringing it to making an official observance that will happen at the beginning of october every year is something that's important to me i know it's important to members of the opiac committee and for adult older adults across uh the city i think it's an important recognition that we have to remain vigilant in terms of building an age-friendly city i know our staff team is doing a lot of work on that many others in the community as well uh but uh as we sort of face the growing sort of aging demographic in our city. This is something that will become increasingly important in everything that we do. So happy to support this and glad to see it moving forward if we get the council's support. Thank you.
Thanks. Councillor Maloney.
Thanks. And I just very briefly want to thank Veruge, the chair of the older persons and elders. advisory committee for waiting around to speak and for members of the OPAC committee for their help in putting this motion together. And I hope it receives unanimous support. Thank you to Councillor Klassen for his work also on that committee and for seconding the motion.
Thank you. So I'm going to call the vote. Please take us to the voting screen, and committee members, please register your vote on the voting panel.
Statement Watch
Yeah, good evening, good night, fellow councillors. and mayor i guess it's getting late but i'll be brief i live in vancouver and i am the chair of the opiac older people elder advisory committee i'm here on behalf of opiac to encourage you to support this motion your commitment to making vancouver in each friendly city aligns with council's vibrant vancouver priority OPIAC and seniors serving organizations have advocated for years regarding this adoption. This will confirm to making lives of older adults better in Vancouver. Seniors living in Vancouver face significant challenges, as we know, related to housing, accessibility, community services and resources, and climate resilience. This recognition presents a promising model for fostering positive change by bettering the quality of life for elders. Our community partners will benefit immensely. As the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Cuderas says so eloquently, as this year's theme reminds us that older persons are powerful agents of change, their voices must be heard. in shaping policies, ending age discrimination, and building inclusive societies. Just as a note, OPIAC's intention is not to request funding support at this time, but a recognition similar to the Sikh Heritage Month. So with this, I will end my participation. Thank you.