The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) Halton Chapter recently reached out to me to ask how I plan to support seniors in our community.
Halton Region’s three long-term care homes (Allendale in Milton, Creek Way in Burlington, and Post Inn in Oakville) operate 572 licensed beds and currently face a combined waitlist of over 2,200 seniors. This leaves LTC bed availability for roughly 1% of our 75+ population. With Ontario’s 75+ population increasing by 30% over the next decade, addressing these challenges requires systemic municipal coordination, not generic political slogans.
Bringing 13 years of municipal infrastructure asset management and public policy advocacy experience, here is how I plan to support seniors as your Regional Councillor for Milton Ward 3:
Promote Active Living
I am committed to providing free local transit for seniors to promote mobility, and free access to fitness facilities to promote active living, alongside expanded 12-hour programming at the Milton Seniors Activity Centre to combat loneliness and isolation.
Aging with Dignity
I will prioritize upstream investments in community housing proactively to allow seniors navigating financial challenges to age in place with dignity.
Advocacy for Community Paramedicine Program
I will advocate for higher funding for Halton Paramedic Services’ Community Paramedicine Program to provide non-emergency healthcare inside a patient’s home. This will delay forced admissions to long-term care homes and alleviate hospital ER wait times for seniors.
True Stewardship
To demonstrate my commitment to community service, I pledge to donate 100% of my compensation as Regional Councillor to local charities including Milton Meals on Wheels, North Halton Hospice, and the Milton District Hospital Foundation.
Our seniors spent their lives caring for us and building the Milton we know today. As your Regional Councillor, it will be my priority to ensure they have the infrastructure, care, and dignity they deserve.