By Staff
February 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Rick Goldring welcomed the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, to the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) last Friday for a roundtable discussion on seniors’ housing needs in Burlington.
Goldring hosted a roundtable on senior’s issues with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Elizabeth Dowdeswell wanted to learn more about issues, ideas and initiatives of importance to the people of Burlington.
Mayor Rick Goldring with the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Over the next 20 years, the percentage of seniors within Burlington is expected to grow to about one in every four residents and the number of seniors over the age of 80 is expected to more than double.
Following the roundtable discussion, that involved 15 people, the Mayor Goldring announced a one-year task force to address the issue of seniors’ housing in Burlington.
The city is committed to collaborating with residents and stakeholders The Roundtable included representatives from Joseph Brant Hospital, the Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee; Halton Region’s social services, planning and health senior managers; Habitat for Humanity; private developers; seniors’ housing specialists; and City of Burlington senior managers.
Each of the 15 representatives was asked to consider and comment on the following two questions:
1. What are the current housing opportunities for seniors who want, or need, to find a new home in Burlington?
2. As the number of seniors continues to increase in our city, where should we place our focus in providing new housing opportunities to allow seniors to continue living in Burlington?
The Mayor’s Task Force is a one year initiative starting in May 2017 and will be led by the Office of the Mayor.
Members of the Task Force will be announced in April. They will report back sometime in April of 2018.
The next municipal election is in October of 2018.
Will Seniors be able to maintain their homes in Burlington now and in the future with ever increasing Municipal taxes, water tax, sewage tax, and lets not forget the electric bill to name a few? Substantial increases in costs will push Seniors out of their Burlington homes. Lets put a “task force” together on that…..
Way to go Mayor! That sounds impressive “The Mayor’s Task Force” – a one year initiative starting 2017, task force to report back sometime in April 2018 – Great! The Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee is due to end in Spring 2017 so he will have lots of time to invest in his new pet project. Do you think this will result in any real action addressing the need for Seniors housing in this community? No, neither do I. Still he has to do something to look busy until October 2018.
The red dispatch box to the Queen was opened by HRH at Buckingham Palace.
“Oh Philip! the Mayor of Canada is concerned about seniors”
“Really, well let’s be honest you are getting on a bit, old girl”
The Queen arched a Royal eyebrow and said “Odd really, I keep turning the photo of him around, and he looks the same upside side down as he does right side up. Extraordinary!”
The Queen of England is very perceptive even though she is a senior.
I agree with Penny. This is lip service for some goodwill with the Senior demographic. I really hope everyone sees through it.
What business does the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario have hearing the concerns of the people of Burlington? She is a figurehead with no real power or influence. This will only make people feel like their concerns are being heard and considered when they are not.
Soylent Green! Recommend the Mayor rent this VCR format film from his local convenience store, that will take care of us old complainers for wanting to live in Burlington.
The issue of Seniors’ housing in Burlington has been around for many years. I remember a discussion taking place at the Seniors’ Centre 10 years ago when a member who had been looking for housing for a family member brought this up. Why don’t we have the proper and enough Senior Housing, because most governments work in 3 or 4 year increments (not their problem if they don’t get re-elected)? Don’t tell me governments didn’t see us coming – we have been around for the last 65 years.
Instead of doing something what does the Mayor do? A roundtable discussion with a task force who will come back in a year with suggestions. Let’s waste another year with no results. I would like to know who on this task force will come back with solutions and how to implement them now, not merely suggestions that end up in a report that sits on a shelf.
The City continually talks about the next 20 years, be it public transportation and now senior housing…..does this give them license to do nothing for the next 19 years. There are many seniors who need help now. Let’s deal with this generation now.
There have been high waiting lists for years. Why are they just now starting a year task force for senior housing???