Prime Minister’s statement in recognition of carers
Universal caregiver priorities
The National Caregiver Strategy presents the universal priorities identified by caregivers and caregiver support groups across the country. Launched in 2008, revised in 2014 and 2020, the strategy lays out a roadmap for collaborative action on policy, programming, and services. The five priority areas set forth in the strategy are:
Informing and influencing policy
A Caregiver Breakfast, co-hosted by Deborah Schulte (Member of Parliament for King-Vaughan and Chair, Liberal Senior Caucus) on April 2017 and sponsored by Carers Canada brought parliamentarians, caregivers, health and social care stakeholders together on a matter that has become relevant to many Canadians – “Caring at Home”. Participants discussed the invaluable role caregivers play in supporting older adults with frailty, individuals with complex, chronic disabling conditions, and those at end-of-life to stay safely at home.
A photo exhibit and luncheon on May 12, 2015, by the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), and sponsored by Carers Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) illuminated the challe and 2016 nges faced by millions of caregivers. The photographic census documented the daily realities caregivers face behind closed doors as they try to balance their career and family caregiving responsibilities the best way they can.
An invitational luncheon on May 6, 2014, hosted by The Honourable Andrew Scheer, M.P. Regina—Qu’Appelle and Speaker of the House of Commons and The Honourable Irwin Cotler, MP, Mount Royal, In partnership with the Carers Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society to recognize and share caregivers’ experiences. Guests shared their experiences in caregiving and discussed the national caregiver strategy.
Advancing a global health agenda
Carers Canada and the Canadian Home Care Association hosted the International Forum on Care and Caregiving on November 22, 2018 at Munk School of Global of Global Affairs and Public Policy, to advance this increasingly significant global health agenda. By exploring common challenges and national and international opportunities, the Forum provided a unique platform to draw on world-class research, innovative policies and put a spotlight on practical solutions to support care and unpaid caregiving. Themes at the Forum included ‘mobility and migration’, ‘technology and care’, ‘work and care’, ‘respite and recognition’, ‘information and expertise’ and ‘minimizing financial burden’.
An integrated strategy for change
Created in 2015, Mobilizing Action: Family Caregivers in Canada is an integrated and shared plan to address the physical, psychosocial, and financial needs of caregivers. The Mobilizing Action plan was developed and endorsed by a broad range of stakeholders, including caregivers, health professionals, service providers, community support groups, researchers, governments, civil society and non-governmental organizations, employers and labour representatives. Each group provided insight, recommendations and resources to the specific action points that outline how government, business, health and community professionals, as well as the wider community, can work cooperatively to achieve a shared purpose in supporting Canadians who take on a caring role. The plan serves as a blueprint for coordinated actions to support caregivers and addressed:
