My question is to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. June is Seniors Month in Ontario and I was honoured to have the minister and his parliamentary assistant in my community last Friday to kick off Seniors Month at my seniors’ Community Connections Expo held in Newmarket.

Seniors’ Month is a time to recognize the contribution of seniors in our province and to respect and celebrate the work that seniors have done and what they are doing in our communities. The theme for 2023 is “Working for Seniors.” Our government is making great progress in helping seniors to stay independent, active and socially connected. However, it is vital to the health and well-being of Ontario’s seniors that our government continues to support initiatives that will help to keep our older adults engaged in their communities.

Speaker, can the minister please explain the importance of Seniors Month and how it helps to properly recognize the contributions of seniors in our communities?

Celebrating June as Seniors Month is an important way to recognize the contributions of seniors and highlight the importance of age-friendly communities.

However, the risk of social isolation for seniors is a reality. Repeated research studies show that loneliness and social isolation have detrimental effects on the physical and mental health of seniors. This is an important issue, and that is why it is essential that our government continues to make investments into programs and services that help seniors to remain active and socially connected. Seniors in Ontario deserve our continuing support.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is supporting the quality of life for seniors in Ontario?

Thank you to the member from Newmarket–Aurora for that important question. I was honoured to attend her seniors’ expo in Newmarket last week. She brought together 17 seniors’ and community groups, close to 100 seniors and senior leaders, who showed how active and involved they are in serving seniors in that part of York region.

As a super senior, I’m calling on everyone to do what the MPP from Newmarket–Aurora did and bring their seniors together. Let’s celebrate Seniors Month like never before.

Thanks to the leadership of this Premier, these investments help seniors stay fit, active, healthy, close to home, connected to their communities and fight social isolation.