Report of the National Seniors Council on Volunteering Among Seniors and Positive and Active Aging

Foreword

All members of the National Seniors Council are volunteers in either their communities and/or in provincial and national organizations. Consequently, the study of the issue of volunteering among seniors, along with positive and active aging, was of great interest to us all.

The Council is very pleased to submit this report. All Council members feel privileged to have met the participants at our nine roundtables. Their commitment, their openness, and their understanding made each of the roundtables a real learning experience that enriched all. Although each of the roundtables had some common elements, each one of them proved to be a unique experience. It is very clear that each community in Canada relies heavily on volunteers, and senior volunteers spend more hours volunteering than all other age groups. Countless examples of this were highlighted in our discussions.

It became very evident, as mentioned oftentimes in this report, that there are many linkages between volunteerism and positive and active aging. This message has to be made clear to all Canadians. Canadians must consider volunteering as a way to contribute to their communities and a way to have a more fulfilling experience as they age.

This report provides a number of suggestions for action for the Government's consideration. Most are based on the advice and ideas that participants shared with us during the roundtables. Council members are confident that all of the suggestions for action will be given serious consideration. They are all aimed at improving volunteering among seniors and promoting positive and active aging.

On behalf of the members of the National Seniors Council, I wish to thank all the participants for contributing to our roundtables. A list of the participants can be found in Annexes C and D.

Jean-Guy Soulière
Chair, National Seniors Council