Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon will officially declare Seniors’ Week on June 7.

“We are all eager to enjoy Seniors’ Week, and we will do so safely and according to public health guidelines. As we start to see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, thank you to the many seniors who have bravely endured this difficult time with grace and fortitude. I say it all the time – seniors are the strength of Alberta.”

Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing

“The celebration of Seniors’ Week is a much-anticipated annual event in our communities. The Seniors Outreach Program Society is extremely pleased to co-host the virtual launch of this tremendous event with Alberta’s government. As Minister Pon provides the declaration for Seniors’ Week, we look forward to not only engaging the seniors of the Kneehill County area, but all Alberta seniors.” 

Dennis Punter, chair, Seniors Outreach Program Society, Three Hills

After last year’s planned kickoff event at the Seniors Outreach Program Society in Three Hills was cancelled due to the pandemic, Minister Pon said she hoped to be back in the town for the 35th edition of Seniors’ Week in 2021. On June 7, she will participate virtually with the society, along with Three Hills-Olds-Didsbury MLA Nathan Cooper, local dignitaries and the online audience of seniors.

Seniors’ Week, which continues through June 13, recognizes and celebrates all that older Albertans have contributed to making our families, communities and province stronger. With the majority of seniors having been vaccinated with at least one dose, smaller gatherings for outside teas and barbecues to celebrate Seniors’ Week 2021 are possible. No matter the size of our gatherings this year, the intent is, as always, to celebrate seniors and their enormous contributions to Alberta.

There are events to celebrate Seniors’ Week all over the province next week. In Fort McMurray, St. Aidan’s Society and the Salvation Army will host Tailgate Tuesday, for example, while in Taber, Family and Community Support Services is encouraging southern Albertans to perform random acts of kindness for seniors.

A calendar of Seniors’ Week events and more information can be found at alberta.ca/seniors-week.aspx.