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Press Release

Friday, December 02, 2016

Seniors Play a Key Role in New Brunswick Communities


The picture shows us, from left to right, Jean-Luc Bélanger, Executive Director of the Association francophone des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick; Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, CFNS – Université de Moncton Canada Health Research Chair on Aging Populations holder; Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor; Maurice Beaudin, economist; Estelle Lanteigne, Health and Wellness Society of French New Brunswick; and Pierre-Marcel Desjardins, economist.
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The CFNS – Université de Moncton Canada Health Research Chair on Aging Populations and the Association of Francophone Seniors in New Brunswick, known as the AFANB, conducted a study on the economic and social contribution of seniors in the province.

The intent of the study was threefold: to obtain data to counter the false and misleading information that is being published; to identify issues facing aging populations; to show that seniors make an important contribution to society.

“Seniors contribute significantly to society. If we were to assign a dollar value to the volunteer work they do, we would be surprised by how much they give to their families, to community groups and agencies, to health care and to the community at large,” said Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, holder of the Canada Health Research Chair on Aging Populations.

“At a time when the number of seniors is increasing, we find it appropriate to shed some light on the situation. We want to demonstrate that seniors are major contributors to the economy,” said Jean-Luc Bélanger of the AFANB.

The economic component of the study was led by Pierre-Marcel Desjardins. It involved data modeling to project, for example, the spending profile of seniors. “The economic impact of the population aged 65 and over was quite significant in 2010. The importance of this spending will continue to grow as society continues to age. The French-language segment of the population accounts for an important part of the impact,” said Mr. Desjardins. “Both government and the private sector must take into consideration this important segment of the economy.”

Maurice Beaudin was in charge of the social and community component of the study. It accounts for the impact of seniors, for example, on housing, the labour market, volunteering and transportation. “Aging of the population is a natural process observed throughout the industrialized world,” said Mr. Beaudin. “We can view this as a challenge or we can see the opportunities. As it is going to be a lasting process and one that is difficult to ignore, it is best to focus on the opportunities. We must establish the bases for an economy of aging. Various constituencies in Europe and in Japan have already done so. ”

A copy of the report is available in French at http://www.mavieestensante.ca/index.php/activites.



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