MACS Present Age Friendly City Report

The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Seniors presented a report with recommendations and suggestions on how to make St. John’s a more age friendly City to Council on Dec. 3. The report stems from a survey held in conjunction with Memorial University.

“One of the key reasons why I advocated for the establishment of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Seniors in 2008 when it was formed was so we could look at the World Health Organizations’s guidelines for age friendly communities,” says Councillor Tom Hann, who represents Council on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Seniors. “I think there are many interesting suggestions and recommendations that have come from this survey which Council can look at potentially implementing in the future.”

The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Seniors partnered with Memorial University’s Age Friendly Communities Research Team to conduct a survey into how St. John’s rates in various categories as defined by the WHO and I’m pleased to say that we rate as a great place to live for seniors.

Some of the features in St. John’s which were identified as particularly strong include:

• Outdoor spaces, parks and trails
• Public museums
• Community centres and recreation facilities
• Community and recreation programs for seniors

Transportation is a key area for seniors as it helps them stay active and involved in the community. The survey recommended that Council look at developing an enhanced program for seniors with Metrobus as it is our main form of public transportation in the City.

“Housing is another area of concern and we have heard this around the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Seniors many times,” says Councillor Hann. “As you all know we have already moved forward in this direction and the Seniors Housing Forum on Nov. 22 was a valuable opportunity for us to look more in depth into this issue.

“I would like to thank the members of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Seniors and our partners with Memorial University for all of their hard work on this report,” adds Coun. Hann. “I think the suggestions and recommendations provide plenty of food for thought as we continue to strive towards making our City even more age friendly than it already is.”

For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: 709-570-2037
Cell: 709-690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca

Tom Hann
Councillor At Large
Chair, Planning and Housing Committee
City of St. John’s
Phone: 576-8219
E-mail: thann@stjohns.ca