Enjoying Your Senior Years in Your Own Language, Culture and Community: Federal support from key institutions and a portrait of English-speaking seniors in Quebec

2.2.1. National aging situation

The 2012 report notes that Canada, as other developed countries, is seeing a growing proportion of elderly persons in its population: 4.8 million seniors aged 65 years and over in 2010 (14% of the total population). That number is expected to reach 10 million (nearly 25% of the population) by 2036. The report contains data on Aboriginal seniors and those belonging to other ethno-cultural groups, but none on OLMCs. However, it does mention OLMCs as one of the targets for federal government support.

2.2.2. National policy making bodies on aging

In response to the Madrid Plan recommendation that aging be a mainstream consideration in all policy fields, the Government of Canada's 2012 follow-up report lists federal mechanisms and institutions that promote and support engagement in seniors' issues: HRSDC, the office of the Minister of State (Seniors), the National Seniors Council (NSC), and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum. The following are descriptions of the roles of these federal bodies and organizations responsible for Canada's policy on aging and seniors.

• HRSDC oversees major initiatives regarding seniors. It is assisted by the Minister of State (Seniors), an office created in 2007 to bring issues of concern to seniors before Cabinet, Parliament and Canadians. (See section 3.2 for information on HRSDC.)
• The NSC was established in 2007 to advise the federal government, through the minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Minister of Health, on questions related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors, including the opportunities and challenges of the growing and diverse aging population. Under the responsibility of the Minister of State (Seniors), the NSC conducts research and convenes expert panels and consultations with seniors and stakeholder groups. In recent years, the NSC has reported on elder abuse, low income among seniors, volunteering among seniors, positive and active aging, seniors' participation in the labour force, and intergenerational relations.^{Footnote 13} Our cursory review of the NCS's reports reveals that various OLMC organizations took part in their consultations, mainly national and provincial seniors' organizations in French OLMCs, as well as regional organizations in English OLMCs.^{Footnote 14} One of these reports, Volunteering Among Seniors and Positive and Active Ageing, mentions culturally appropriate multilingual services in the following terms:

  Participants noted the importance of ensuring that services provided to seniors in the community, in the home or in long-term care facilities, be provided in a culturally appropriate manner and in the seniors' language of choice.^{Footnote 15}

  With regard to governance, the NCS's membership appears to be diverse, including seniors, representatives of organizations that serve the needs or interests of seniors, and experts from fields of study related to seniors and aging.^{Footnote 16} However, it is not clear whether OLMC membership is taken into consideration in the appointment of NCS members.
• The Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum, created in 1992, advances issues of common concern relevant to seniors' well-being and undertakes collaborative projects. It is co-chaired by the Minister of State (Seniors). In recent years, the forum has examined these issues: safety and security for seniors, financial security, healthy and active aging, and the promotion of positive images of aging.^{Footnote 17}

2.3.1. Senate committee observations on official language minority community seniors

The Committee observed varying proportions, across the country, of population aged 65 years and over belonging to an OLMC. It noted a faster rate of aging in the Francophone population than in the Anglophone population, particularly in rural regions due to youth leaving to seek higher education and young families leaving to find employment opportunities. However, this observation does not appear to address the rate of aging in Quebec's Anglophone OLMCs.

Nevertheless, the report lists challenges that apply to all OLMCs, Anglophone as well as Francophone:

• Budgetary constraints impeding communities' ability to provide health services to seniors in OLMCs in the language of their choice;
• Absence of health and social services that are culturally appropriate to OLMCs;
• Lack of health care services in the minority language, which reduces the overall quality of care, often leading to misdiagnosis and to seniors misunderstanding the instructions for their treatment—with all of these difficulties increasing patients' anxiety levels;
• Lack of health and social services, which puts OLMC seniors at greater risk of social isolation, especially when moving to an assisted-living or long-term care facility.

On the topics of assisted living or long-term care, the Committee heard this:

For most seniors, moving to an assisted living or long term care facility is a time of sadness and anxiety. For official language minority seniors, these feelings are compounded by the fact that often these living environments only provide services in the dominant language and culture of the region. As a result, official language minority seniors experience a greater degree of social isolation, detached not only from their homes and communities, but their language and culture as well. […] Thus for official language minority seniors, “aging in place” means not only being able to grow older in their place of choice, but also being able to live in the language and culture of their choice.^{Footnote 21}

3.1.1. Official language minority community mandate and support

Under section 42 of Part VII of the Act, the department coordinates the federal government's commitment to enhance the vitality of French and English OLMCs. It does this by supporting various groups working for these communities and by facilitating other federal departments' and agencies' involvement in their development.

As well, the department enters into agreements with the provinces and territories to provide services in English and French in regions of Canada that are home to OLMCs.^{Footnote 24}

3.1.2. Seniors mandate and support

PCH does not have a specific mandate, policies or programs dedicated to seniors. It works with OLMCs through grants and contributions program support. It may support seniors' groups in the same way it supports other organizations.

Nevertheless, a representative of the OLSPB is a member of the Interdepartmental Committee on Seniors chaired by HRSDC and provides official languages input on policy discussions that affect seniors.^{Footnote 25}

3.1.3. Official language minority community seniors support

Seniors' groups are eligible for funding, since they play a key role in community life. As one informant told us, they “bring experience to the community and [make] a positive contribution to community vitality.”

National organizations such as the Fédération des aînées et aînés francophones du Canada have been receiving support from PCH for a number of years, as have Francophone seniors' associations in many provinces. These organizations have received regular core funding from year to year and may also receive funding for special projects.

Until spring 2012, no organization in Quebec had a specific mandate to serve the interests of English-speaking seniors province-wide.^{Footnote 26} Nevertheless, organizations such as the Quebec Community Groups Network, the English-Speaking Catholic Council, and the Coasters Association, which advocate on behalf of seniors and offer services or cultural activities for them, have received funding. Because these groups provide services to seniors as part of their regular activities, it is difficult to identify how much of their funding is dedicated to seniors. Also, over the five years that one informant referred to, PCH's Quebec Regional Office had funded nine projects targeting English-speaking seniors or intergenerational projects, with total funding of $375,000.^{Footnote 27}

3.2.1. Official language minority community mandate and support

The key vehicle by which HRSDC supports OLMC organizations is the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities. This component of the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future has been maintained in the new roadmap for 2013–2018. Under the 2008–2013 Roadmap, the fund's main objective was to enhance the development and vitality of OLMCs by strengthening their capacity in the areas of human resources and community economic development. The renewed enabling fund will support community leadership and local capacity in identifying barriers to growth and in acting on development opportunities. Funding has been granted to not-for-profit organizations that provide leadership in economic and human development matters on behalf of OLMCs in their province or territory.^{Footnote 29}

In Quebec, this organization is the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC), with its nine Community Economic Development and Employability Committees in Anglophone communities in Quebec's regions.^{Footnote 30} (The equivalent organization for Francophone OLMCs is the Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité).

3.2.2. Seniors mandate and support

HRSDC plays a central role with respect to Canadian seniors. At the policy level, the Department is a focal point on seniors and population aging issues. It leads in the development and design of seniors-related policies by engaging with partners, providing policy analysis, and supporting the Minister of State (Seniors), the NSC, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum, and the Interdepartmental Committee on Seniors.^{Footnote 31}

Through its New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), the Department offers grants and contributions to organizations that help seniors engage in the lives of others and in their communities. The NHSP's objectives are to:

• promote volunteer involvement among seniors and other generations;
• engage seniors to become mentors in their communities;
• increase the general population's awareness about elder abuse;
• foster the participation and inclusion of seniors in the community; and
• provide financial assistance for community projects and programs targeting seniors.^{Footnote 32}

The NHSP has an annual budget of $45 million. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year. Pan-Canadian projects to help seniors protect themselves from elder abuse are eligible to receive up to $250,000 per year in contribution or grant funding, for up to three years.

3.2.3. Official language minority community seniors support

Among organizations and projects funded by the NHSP, some are, in effect, led in OLMCs and by their organizations. (For examples of projects, see the next text box.)

In its final report in 2009, the Special Senate Committee on Aging indicated that many witnesses had made positive comments about the NHSP. However, organizations across the country expressed some concerns, particularly Aboriginal Canadians and OLMC groups who felt they did not have equal access to funding. As a result, the Committee made recommendations that funding be made accessible to all Canadians. For instance, it urged the government to review the application process, to communicate the availability of funding to as many groups as possible, and to allow multi-year funding for certain projects.^{Footnote 33}

In our interviews, we learned that the NHSP had actively promoted itself in OLMCs. Between 2008–2009 and the winter of 2012 at the time of the interviews, NHSP provided nearly $9 million to OLMCs.^{Footnote 34}

Lists of approved community-based projects, grouped by province, are available on the NHSP's website. From the projects approved for Quebec for 2011–2012,^{Footnote 35} we estimate, based on the name of the organization or the project title, that some 38 projects out of a total of 526 province-wide (7%) benefitted English-speaking communities. From the total amount of funding for Quebec for that fiscal year, which was in the order of $8 million, English-speaking communities and projects would have received close to $800,000, or 10% of provincial funding. However, these numbers are estimates, since the organizations and projects listed as receiving funding under the NHSP are not identified as OLMC organizations or projects targeting OLMCs.

It would be interesting to see the trend in the submission and approval of proposals from OLMCs, since efforts have been made by HRSDC to promote the NHSP in these communities and since there is now a province-wide OLMC seniors' organization in Quebec.

These are examples of NHSP projects in Quebec, most of which were led by or in Anglophone communities. Others are also included as they could be interesting examples of projects for OLMC seniors and their organizations.

3.3.1. Official language minority community mandate and support

The Official Language Community Development Bureau coordinates the implementation of Section 41 of the Act at Health Canada and takes measures to enhance the vitality of the OLMCs.^{Footnote 40} The Bureau ensures that Health Canada's initiatives, programs and services contribute to this goal. Initiatives dedicated to seniors are reviewed to ensure that they also recognize the particular challenges of seniors in official language minority contexts.^{Footnote 41}

The Bureau administered Health Canada's contribution to the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008–2013: Acting for the Future, which included a funding envelope of $174.3 million for the five-year period. While renewing the Roadmap, Health Canada asked the leaders of the two communities to consult their members to find out about the health needs of English and French OLMCs. The results of the consultation in Quebec were published in 2012 in The Health and Social Service Priorities of Quebec's English-Speaking Population 2013–2018: A Document Based on the Consultation of Members of Quebec's English-Speaking Population.^{Footnote 42}

The Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013–2018: Education, Immigration, Communities, announced in March 2013, includes funding to Health Canada equivalent to the previous roadmap. Health Canada will continue to address community-specific health needs by supporting, for example, projects that increase opportunities for seniors to communicate in the official language of their choice, that help eliminate language barriers for mental health patients or that facilitate indicating patients' preferred official language in their health records.^{Footnote 43}

3.3.2. Seniors mandate and support

Health Canada conducts research to help understand the needs of Canadian seniors and to ensure that programs and services respond to Canada's aging demographic. In collaboration with the PHAC, the Department provides information on a variety of topics related to aging and seniors.

Health Canada has two major on-line sources of information for seniors: Healthy Living: Seniors and Just for You: Seniors, which offer information on subjects such as home care, end-of-life care, prevention of falls, communication with seniors, abuse, disability, diseases and illnesses, food and nutrition, the health care system, medication, mental health, physical activity, sexuality, travel, and oral and vision care.

The Department also offers reports and publications, on topics such as the health care system, that address seniors and aging issues.

3.3.3. Official language minority community seniors support

The 2008–2013 Roadmap allocated funds to seniors-related projects, such as initiatives to improve seniors' well-being through health promotion activities and information, as well as information-dissemination initiatives to increase access to health services.

The following are examples of projects funded and led in Quebec.^{Footnote 44}

3.4.1. Official language minority community mandate and support

As do other federal institutions, PHAC has obligations under Part VII of the Act. The Agency has supported OLMCs through financial contributions.^{Footnote 45}

3.4.2. Seniors mandate and support

PHAC provides information to seniors and supports networks and partnerships. Its role has shifted away from direct contributions and towards partnerships to leverage various initiatives.^{Footnote 46}

PHAC's Division of Aging and Seniors leads federal efforts regarding seniors' public health issues as a focal point for information and a centre of expertise on the topic. Its objectives are to influence policy development, expand the knowledge base, and engage stakeholders regarding healthy aging.^{Footnote 47} The Division produces and disseminates publications on aging and seniors for the general public as well as for professionals.^{Footnote 48}

The Division is engaged in a number of seniors-related initiatives. It is responsible for the public health component of the interdepartmental Federal Elder Abuse Initiative, launched by the Government of Canada in 2008. It contributes to knowledge, tools and resources to support caregivers and public health practitioners in identifying and addressing the health risks that senior caregivers face. The Division has launched injury-prevention initiatives for seniors. With regard to emergency preparedness, the Division works with a network of stakeholders to develop resources and tools for seniors, first responders, health professionals and emergency managers.

Through this, PHAC provides leadership for the Age-Friendly Communities initiative. The World Health Organization started Global Age-Friendly Cities, an international endeavor to identify features that make communities age-friendly. Four Canadian cities took part: Saanich (British Columbia), Portage la Prairie (Manitoba), Sherbrooke (Quebec) and Halifax (Nova Scotia). Since then, the Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities Initiative was launched for communities with populations under 5,000. As well, PHAC has created and coordinated the Pan-Canadian Age-Friendly Communities Network to help community groups and individuals exchange ideas, practices and resources.^{Footnote 49} Information, guides and tools from this initiative are available through the Division of Aging and Seniors' website. These types of initiatives, such as the Pan-Canadian Age-Friendly Communities Network, are likely to be of interest to OLMCs.

3.4.3. Official language minority community seniors support

PHAC produces and disseminates information and makes use of existing networks and partnerships that may benefit OLMCs, including OLMC seniors' organizations. Our informant cited work done by the Fédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l'Ontario in regard to age-friendly communities.^{Footnote 50} According to this informant, Quebec is a leader in the development of age-friendly communities, and PHAC works with a number of Quebec organizations.^{Footnote 51} However, it is unclear whether English- and French-speaking OLMCs are fully and systematically taken into consideration in Age-Friendly Communities initiatives and projects, for example, in promoting those projects, in encouraging OLMCs to take part in those ventures, and in following institutional accountability processes.

3.5.1. Official language minority community mandate and support

Until 2012, CIHR had a specific OLMC funding initiative to promote the study of health determinants and specific needs of the two OLMCs, increase the number of researchers working on OLMC health issues, and ensure transmission of new knowledge within the health community and the OLMCs. CIHR announced that this initiative would be abolished after 2012 but that support to OLMC research would continue to be offered through ongoing programs.^{Footnote 54} However, it is unclear to what extent and how the regular research programs take into account the particular needs of French and English OLMCs.

3.5.2. Seniors mandate and support

CIHR has no particular mandate regarding seniors, although one of its institutes focuses on aging. CIHR established the Institute of Aging to support research on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. Its goal is to improve the quality of life and health of older Canadians by understanding and addressing or preventing the consequences of a wide range of factors associated with aging.^{Footnote 55}

The Institute of Aging provides direct funding to researchers. Its priority research themes, until 2013, included health services and policy relating to older people, as well as healthy and successful aging; biological mechanisms and cognitive decline in aging; and maintenance of functional autonomy.^{Footnote 56}

3.5.3. Official language minority community seniors support

With the elimination in 2012 of the special initiative on OLMC research, it is not clear to what extent the other CIHR research programs are taking into account the particular needs of OLMCs (including English-speaking seniors in Quebec). Nevertheless, the Institute of Aging might consider filling that role by supporting research on aging and seniors in OLMCs.

3.6.1. Official language minority community mandate and support

To meet its obligations under Part VII of the Act, SWC supports organizations' initiatives that target OLMC women. For example, in 2009–2010, the Quebec Community Groups Network received funding for its Leadership Building in Rural Quebec project, which developed leadership among women in rural communities. The Jamaican Canadian Community Women's League of Montreal received funding for its Dollars Make Sense / Leadership and Empowerment Project.^{Footnote 60}

3.6.2. Seniors mandate and support

While not the primary focus of the Women's Program, projects that directly support senior women have been funded.

For example, in 2012, SWC granted $299,000 for a community project to increase the economic security and prosperity of women in rural and isolated OLMCs. Most of the leaders of that project were seniors.^{Footnote 61}

Another example is a national project that addressed the high level of poverty and the low level of financial literacy among older women in Vancouver, Montréal and Toronto. Older Women and Financial Literacy: Bridging the Income Gap was led by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly and the University of Toronto.^{Footnote 62}

3.6.3. Official language minority community seniors support

Although SWC has no specific funding niche for senior women, some of its funds have been allocated to them. Reports on the implementation of section 41 of the Act (2009–2010 and 2007–2008), indicate that SWC has funded the projects in the preceding text box.

Inadequate access to services and support, particularly in the regions outside Greater Montréal

• Services provided depend on the area and on the need identified (such as social services or judicial services). Services in rural areas tend to be of lesser quality or quantity, and non-bilingual seniors usually have to be transferred to Québec City or Montréal for services. They have few resources available to them and lack social activities, clubs, etc.
• The situation in Montréal differs from that in the rest of Quebec, including in demographic numbers and thus in the availability of a complete range of high-quality services in the minority language.
• Seniors in the regions tend to depend on their family, yet young people move away to find work. Seniors in that situation can find themselves alone or left to care for their grandchildren.
• There are fewer young volunteers than there are senior volunteers.
• OLMC seniors must deal with language barriers when accessing health services.

Increased risks of isolation

• OLMC seniors are more at risk of isolation due to a lack of social contacts, geographic isolation, lack of mobility, and reduced cognitive abilities—which may make it hard for them to communicate their health.

Increased challenges for subgroups among OLMC seniors

• Senior women in OLMCs may face multiple barriers, yet getting access to services in the minority language is often a problem for them.
• The multicultural aspect of Montréal's English-speaking population creates particular needs in that region.

Absence of a provincial umbrella organization of Anglophone seniors in Quebec

• Various informants mentioned, at the time of the interview, that the absence of an Anglophone seniors group in Quebec (along the lines of the Fédération des aînées et aînés francophones du Canada) had made it difficult to contact that population—making the provision of support adapted to their needs more difficult.

Other challenges in reaching OLMC seniors and meeting their needs

• It is even harder to reach seniors living in OLMCs in isolated rural areas or in the North. There are typically fewer organizations providing support in these communities, and those organizations may have limited capacity or only rudimentary access to information, programs, services or funding.
• Federal institutions must find innovative ways to meet OLMC seniors' health-related needs, considering the provincial and territorial jurisdiction of health services.

5.1.1. Population aging by province

Not all provinces are aging at the same rate (see Table 1).

5.1.2. Population aging by first official language spoken

When considering the population by FOLS,^{Footnote 73} Canada's two official language groups differ in their rate of aging, with Francophones having a slightly larger elderly population (13.6% versus 12.3% for English-speaking Canadians).

However, in all Canadian provinces outside Quebec, French-speaking populations comprise greater proportions of seniors than do English-speaking populations (see Table 3).

5.2.1. Higher proportion in almost all regions

While Anglophones province-wide do not comprise a higher proportion of aged persons than do Francophones, regional statistics tell a different story.

In 13 of the 16 regions, the proportion of seniors is higher among Anglophones and is also higher than the Canadian aging rate, which is 13.0% (see Table 4).

In four regions (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Mauricie–Centre-du-Québec, Estrie, and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine), the proportion of seniors among English speakers is near or above 20%.

5.2.2. High number in Montréal and small numbers in many regions

Tables 5 and 6 show the number and proportion of English speakers, by health region, for two age groups: 65 to 84 and 85 and older.^{Footnote 76}

5.3.1. Slightly longer life expectancy

Life expectancy has been slightly better for Anglophones than for Francophones in Quebec (see Table 7).

5.3.2. More females than males

Similar to the Canadian population and to Francophones in Quebec, English-speaking senior populations comprise more females aged 65 and older (54.4%) than males (45.6%), due to a higher mortality rate among males. However, the proportional number of males among English-speaking seniors is slightly higher (and consequently, the proportion of females is slightly lower) than that among Francophones (see Table 8).

5.3.3. More often married

Table 9 shows the distribution across legal marital status categories for Anglophones and Francophones for age groups 15 years and older and 65 years and older.

5.3.4. Similarly living alone

As can be expected, the likelihood that someone is living alone increases with age. (See Figure 1.) The proportion of English-speaking seniors living alone in private households is similar to that of Francophones, with a difference of only two percentage points for those 65 and older and those 65–84 years of age. These proportions are practically identical for Anglophones and Francophones 85 years of age and older (50%). It may be noted that this data does not indicate other living arrangements of seniors. A Statistics Canada 2011 census publication sheds light on the various living arrangements of seniors in Canada. It does not, however, provide provincial or linguistic details.^{Footnote 79}

Figure 1: Population Aged 15+ Living Alone in Private Households in Quebec, by Age Group and First Official Language Spoken (FOLS), 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 1

Population Aged 15+ Living Alone in Private Households in Quebec, by Age Group and First Official Language Spoken (FOLS), 2006

Age	English speakers	French speakers
15 to 24 years	4.9%	4.7%
25 to 44 years	11.8%	12.9%
45 to 64 years	14.5%	17.5%
65 years and over	30.2%	31.9%
65 to 84 years	28.0%	30.4%
85 years and over	50.1%	50.7%

5.3.5. Higher education levels

The numbers in figures 2 and 3 show higher education levels among the English-speaking population compared with Francophones in all age groups over 15 years old. Figure 2 shows the proportion of the Quebec population, French- and English-speaking, who do not have high school certification.

Figure 2: Population Aged 15+ Without High School Certification in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 2

Population Aged 15+ Without High School Certification in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Age	English speakers	French speakers
Total	19.8%	25.5%
15 to 24 years	31.9%	37.6%
25 to 44 years	9.7%	13.3%
45 to 64 years	17.3%	21.4%
65 years and over	36.0%	48.3%

Overall, a greater proportion of English speakers (80%) have attained high school certification relative to the French-speaking population (75%). This discrepancy is largest in the seniors' group, with a 12% difference between the two language groups of that age. In the seniors' group, almost two-thirds (64%) of Anglophones have high school certification, compared with just 52% among Francophones.

The same pattern holds regarding university education (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Population Aged 15 and over with a University Certification in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 3

Population Aged 15 and over with a University Certification in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Age	English speakers	French speakers
Total	24.6%	15.3%
15 to 24 years	8.4%	5.1%
25 to 44 years	34.7%	23.5%
45 to 64 years	25.8%	15.5%
65 years and over	15.1%	7.7%

English speakers have completed university in greater proportions. This is true for all age groups, with the difference more pronounced in the seniors' group: twice as many Anglophone seniors (15.1%) than Francophone seniors (7.7%) have a university degree.

Completion of high school education means higher literacy and hence better capacity to understand instructions and to adhere to medical treatment. In general, higher education is associated with more positive health habits, which can provide greater capacity to handle the adaptations required by aging and hence increase longevity.

5.3.6. Less bilingual than younger Anglophones

For seniors living in Quebec, knowledge of both official languages is an important asset. English-speaking seniors are either more bilingual than or almost as bilingual as French speakers of any age group: 47% of English-speaking seniors are bilingual, compared with rates varying (according to age group) between 13% and 49% for Francophones. However, at 47%, proportionately fewer Anglophone seniors speak both languages than do their younger counterparts (65% of people aged 45 to 64 and 71% of those aged 25 to 44).

5.3.7. Higher proportion still in the labour force

In the future, more Canadians are expected to remain in the workforce past retirement age,^{Footnote 80} but the current proportion of seniors who still work after their 65th birthday is relatively modest. Nevertheless, it is one third higher (12%) among English-speaking seniors than among French-speaking seniors (7.5%). (See Figure 4.)

Figure 4: Population Aged 15+ in the Labour Force in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken and Age Group (FOLS), 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 4

Population Aged 15+ in the Labour Force in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken and Age Group (FOLS), 2006

Age	English speakers	French speakers
Total	64.6%	65.3%
15 to 24 years	57.2%	64.5%
25 to 44 years	82.7%	87.8%
45 to 64 years	75.3%	70.7%
65 years and over	12.0%	7.5%

We do not know whether these working seniors are doing so out of necessity or choice. Depending on the reason for working past retirement age, a longer working period could have a positive or negative effect on health and longevity.

5.3.8. Higher proportion of immigrants

In Quebec, the English-speaking population includes a higher proportion of immigrants than does the French-speaking majority (see Figure 5).

Striking differences are present between the two language groups and for every age group except the youngest.

Nearly one third of English speakers in Quebec were born in another country, which is more than four times that in the French-speaking population. Among English-speaking seniors, nearly half are immigrants, whereas this proportion is less than 10% among French-speaking seniors.^{Footnote 81}

Figure 5: Immigrant Population in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken and Age Group (FOLS), 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 5

Immigrant Population in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken and Age Group (FOLS), 2006

Age	English speakers	French speakers
Total	32.5%	7.6%
0 to 14 years	6.7%	4.4%
15 to 24 years	18.6%	5.9%
25 to 44 years	36.8%	10.5%
45 to 64 years	43.8%	7.4%
65 years and over	45.7%	8.1%

5.3.9. Higher proportion of visible minorities

The proportion of visible minorities is also higher among Anglophones. Members of visible minorities make up nearly a quarter (about 24%) of the total Quebec English-speaking population, whereas they account for only 6% of the total French-speaking population (see Table 11).

5.3.10. Similar proportion living in poverty

Figure 6 shows the percentage of Anglophones and Francophones living below the low-income cut-off, a benchmark that Statistics Canada developed as an indication of poverty.^{Footnote 83}

Figure 6: Population Aged 15+ Living Below the Low-Income Cut-Off in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 6

Population Aged 15+ Living Below the Low-Income Cut-Off in Quebec, by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Age	English speakers	French speakers
Total	22.0%	16.0%
15 to 24 years	26.8%	18.1%
25 to 44 years	23.9%	14.8%
45 to 64 years	18.6%	14.0%
65 years and over	18.9%	19.5%
65 to 84 years	17.9%	18.6%
85 years and over	27.7%	30.1%

The proportions of Anglophone and Francophone seniors living below the low-income cut-off are almost identical (18% to 19%). For those aged 85 and over, this proportion climbs to an alarming 28% among Anglophones and 30% among Francophones.

These numbers are contrary to the widespread belief that Anglophones in Quebec are generally financially advantaged. A sizeable proportion of the English-speaking elderly live below the low-income cut-off. And the older they are, the more likely they are to be in that vulnerable situation.

The higher proportion of younger English speakers who are living below the low-income cut-off is also cause for concern. Their current difficult financial situation may lessen their capacity to look after older parents, and it may lessen their well-being as they age.

5.4.1. Fewer caregivers

For seniors, the number of caregivers, including family or friends, who are available to provide assistance when needed can affect their quality of life, including their ability to maintain their independence. Due to the age structure of the English-speaking minority,^{Footnote 84} caregivers may be in short supply, especially in regions where the rate of aging is higher.

Figure 7 shows the minority-majority index based on the relative proportion of English and French speakers across the different age groups. Relative to French speakers province-wide, there are proportionately more Anglophone seniors aged 75 and over (and particularly more very elderly seniors), yet fewer adults in their middle years (aged 45–64), as well as fewer young seniors (aged 65–74). Younger adults (aged 20–39), on the other hand, are found in greater proportion among Anglophones than among Francophones.

This dip in the curve has been called the “missing middle:” the English-speaking population has larger proportions among its very elderly and its younger age groups than does the French-speaking population.^{Footnote 85}

Figure 7: Minority-Majority Index in Quebec, by Age Group and First Official Language Spoken (FOLS), 2006

Note: For complete data, see Appendix D.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 7

There is a higher proportion of Anglophones among the 75 and over and young adults (20-39) age categories.

As a result of the missing middle, the present generation of English-speaking seniors, and particularly the most elderly, may be short of caregivers—at least in certain regions. The numbers in Figure 7 are consistent with this interpretation.

If the caregiving years are considered to take place between the ages of 35 and 54, a caregiver-to-senior ratio can be calculated using the number of persons of caregiving age and the number of seniors. A low ratio indicates that there are fewer potential caregivers to provide assistance to seniors,^{Footnote 86} as shown in Table 12.

5.4.2. Greater unpaid care to seniors

The amount of unpaid care being provided by family members or friends to senior citizens is an indication of the stress being put on caregivers and on the needs of those receiving the care.

In Canada, 3.1% of the population provides unpaid care to seniors 10 hours or more weekly. The same proportion of English-speaking Quebecers provides unpaid care to their older relatives or friends, while among French-speaking Quebecers, this percentage is 2.3%, according to 2006 Census data (see appendix E).

5.4.3. Significant participation in health and social services

Figure 8 shows a significant number of Anglophones working in the health and social services sector. For all age groups, the difference between the representation of Francophones and Anglophones is only about 2%, while for workers aged 65 years old, their relative presence is almost equal.

Figure 8: Worker Participation in Health Care and Social Services in Quebec by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

Description: Figure 8

Worker Participation in Health Care and Social Services in Quebec by First Official Language Spoken (FOLS) and Age Group, 2006

Age	English speakers	French speakers
Total	8.7%	11.4%
15 to 24 years	4.7%	6.5%
25 to 44 years	8.5%	11.9%
45 to 64 years	10.5%	12.8%
65 years and over	9.2%	8.5%

Nevertheless, while health and social services professionals may contribute to determining the allocation of resources and the type of services to be offered, planning for services is also carried out by civil servants. These civil servants may or may not be aware of Quebec's Anglophone community and its specific needs.

Data from a 2010 Statistics Canada study on the English-speaking population of Quebec indicates that Anglophones make up only 2.8% of Quebec's public service.^{Footnote 88} With the limited participation of Anglophones in provincial institutions, some opportunities for connecting and networking between these institutions and the English-speaking communities and vice versa may be missed.

5.4.4. Availability of health professionals

Access to health services is a major concern for all Canadians, but Canadians in OLMCs also deal with finding professionals who are available in their region and who speak their language. Access to health services in one's language is particularly crucial for seniors. Based on a Statistics Canada study on health care professionals and OLMCs,^{Footnote 89} this section provides data on total numbers of health professionals in Quebec and on those who are able to provide services in the minority language, as an indicator of access to health services in that language.

We start by providing general figures about the number of health professionals in Quebec. Table 13 shows the number of health professionals available in Quebec compared with the rest of Canada.

Government of Canada

Seniors.gc.ca, Information for Seniors. On-line version accessed January 25, 2013.
Provides customized access to programs and services according to provinces and territories or according to needs.

Service Canada, Services for Seniors. On-line version accessed January 24, 2013.

Service Canada, Services for Seniors Guide. On-line PDF version accessed January 25, 2013.

Government of Quebec

Services Québec – Citoyens, Programs and Services for Seniors 2012–2013. On-line version accessed January 25, 2013.

Community Organizations

Quebec Community Groups Network, QuebecSeniors.Info, Database of English Services for Seniors. On-line version accessed January 25, 201.

Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, Social Action Department, A Guide for Seniors and their Families on Government Programs and Services, July 2011. On-line version accessed on January 25, 2013.

West Island Community Resource Centre, West Island Seniors' Index. On-line version accessed January 25, 2013.

Outaouais Health and Social Services Network, Directory of Services for English-speaking Seniors, 2010. On-line PDF version accessed January 25, 2013.

Support to seniors in general

1. What is the general mandate of your institution or branch with respect to individual seniors and/or to organizations serving seniors? (For institutions or branches which offer both, the set of questions below will be directed to individual support followed by support to organizations.)
2. What type(s) of support does your institution or branch provide to seniors (programs, services, funding, information and/or other)? Please list and describe the types of support offered and provide me with sources where further information can be found.
3. What is the rationale for provision of these types of support to seniors? Are particular age groups targeted?
4. How would you describe the context of implementation for these types of support?
5. What mechanisms are used for the delivery and/or dissemination of these types of support? For example: In the case of support through funding, what are the admissibility criteria? In the case of support through information, what are the strategies and means for dissemination?

Support to seniors in official language minority communities in particular

6. Are official language minority communities (Anglophones in Quebec and Francophones elsewhere in Canada) taken into account in the design, delivery and dissemination of the types of support provided to seniors by your institution or branch? Please elaborate.
7. Are you (or is your branch) aware of particular challenges for seniors in official language minority communities? Please elaborate.
8. To your knowledge, has your institution or branch received requests for support to seniors in official language minority communities? Please elaborate.
9. To your knowledge, are there particular challenges in providing support to seniors living in official language minority communities? If so, for which communities? Please elaborate.
10. Has the support provided by your institution or branch to seniors in general and/or in official language minority communities in particular been successful? If so, please elaborate and provide examples.