Grandparents’ Day Rally Calls Cuts and Privatization of Seniors Services Unfair

Grandparents’ Day Rally Calls Cuts and Privatization of Seniors Services Unfair

“While many groups have been hit by Alberta government cuts, with seniors, it is the most vulnerable who have been targeted,” said Noel Somerville, Chairperson of Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors Task Force. “Those who are cognitively impaired, chronically ill, or profoundly frail are facing reduced services and increasing costs for the medications, home care and facility care they require,” said Noel Somerville, Chair of Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors Task Force. "Since when has it been acceptable public policy to target people because they are sick?"

“Seniors and their families are rightfully angry that the government of Alberta is cutting and privatizing seniors care at a time when our seniors population is growing and our economy is strong,” said Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “The government claims that are going to save $18 million by consolidating and privatizing homecare, $180 million on the new seniors drug plan, and are privatizing and cutting long-term care beds. This is certainly no way to be treating the seniors of today and all of us who will one day hope to be seniors and grandparents ourselves.”

When: Sunday, September 8th, 1-2pm

Where: Alberta Legislature Building, 10800 97 Ave. N.W., Edmonton

What: The Grandparents’ Day (Un) Fair - A rally in the theme of a fair for seniors and their families to rally against cuts to public seniors care services.

Who: People who advocate for or work with seniors and seniors who are affected by the cuts.

The (Un) Fair will feature such activities and booths like:

• Race to the Last Available Bed
• Toss the New Seniors Drug Plan
• Pop the Seniors Care Plan

Coordinated by the member organizations of Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors Task Force-30-