Moncton is the first city in New Brunswick to be designated an age friendly community.
Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Lisa Harris says this is the culmination of years of hard work by Moncton City Council.
She adds this is about planning ahead for all members of the community.
“If you’re building a sidewalk, or if you’re deciding the timing of your stoplights, you have to take into consideration that seniors may need extra time to get across the street [and] a better sidewalk so that they’re able to have the space needed to get through,” says Harris.
She goes on to say it’s fundamentally important that “when communities and municipalities are making decisions about their infrastructure or anything that they’re doing within their community, to think about seniors and how they can serve them better.”
Mayor Dawn Arnold says an age friendly city is a benefit for everyone no matter their age #Moncton #MonctonNews #NB #NBNews pic.twitter.com/Gb8KohpKOC
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) August 3, 2017
Harris says Moncton is setting a great example.
“There are many other communities that are halfway, there are a couple that are extremely, extremely close, and we can’t wait to recognize them in the near future,” says Harris.
To receive recognition, communities must have completed four milestones developed by the World Health Organization.
These milestones are based upon community engagement and taking sustainable action.
The four milestones are: have a resolution passed by your local government; establish an age-friendly committee in your community; conduct an age-friendly assessment of your community; and develop and implement an action plan.
