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SENIORS

The senior population in Saanich is steadily growing; we need to work together to develop initiatives that enable their continued active participation in the communities they helped create. One such example could include requiring a different sidewalk standard in order to accommodate the increasing number of mobility scooters. This will hopefully allow pedestrians and scooters to peacefully coexist without forcing seniors onto the roadways. 

 

Saanich should also help fund and promote services such as: Cordova Bay 55 Plus Association, Goward House, Seniors Severing Seniors, Silver Threads Service, so they can enhance and expand the services offered within these agencies. Furthermore, we should work with the province to promote the Property Tax Deferment and Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (S.A.F.E.R.) programs.

In 11 years, the baby boomer generation will be 65 or older; Saanich needs to be ready to support this growing segment of the population. Those on fixed incomes are finding it increasingly difficult to stay in their family homes with the escalation in property tax rates over the past decade. Even those who are lucky enough to have pensions that increase with the rate of inflation will likely be unable to stay in their homes if the property tax rates continue on this trend. We need to be actively exploring affordable housing options for seniors, as well as encouraging new housing developments to be inter-generational and accessible. 

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