Law Commission of Ontario Launches
Public Consultation
On the Law as it Affects Older Persons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, May 6, 2008 - The Law Commission of Ontario today launched a public consultation on
the law as it affects older persons. This public consultation is the first
stage of a larger project that is expected to develop a new approach to this
area of the law.
With the aging of Canada’s population comes both opportunities and challenges.
It will be increasingly important to have a clear understanding of the needs,
circumstances and experiences of older persons, and to have appropriate and
effective policy frameworks in place. In
keeping with these developments, there is a need for a re-examination of the
law as it affects older persons, said Dr. Patricia Hughes, Executive Director
of the LCO. “For the law to effectively serve older adults, we need to develop
a principled and comprehensive approach that takes into account the diversity
of experiences among older persons based on their sex, language, culture,
health, and degree of vulnerability.”
There is a broad range of
laws that affect older persons. Some laws directly deal with circumstances that
uniquely affect older persons. There are laws, for instance, regulating
long-term care homes. As well, laws
still commonly provide benefits or assign duties based on attainment of a
specific age. Other laws apply to everyone, but may have a different or greater
impact on older persons because of their particular needs and experiences. For
example, older persons may face extra challenges in attempting to access the
justice system.
Because of the breadth of the
project, it is being conducted in two stages. At this time, the LCO is seeking public
input on specific issues that should be examined in depth, and the principles
that should shape its approach. The LCO has developed a Consultation Paper that
outlines potential issues and themes, in order to provide a focal point for
discussion. Written submissions in response to the Consultation Paper will be
accepted until Monday, July 7, 2008.
Based on the results of this
consultation and the LCO’s independent research, the LCO will adopt a set of
guiding principles for the project and will select themes and issues that will
be addressed during the next phase. Further consultation will be undertaken on the
issues identified. The entire project is expected to span two to three years.
Launched
last September, the LCO operates independently of government to recommend law
reforms to enhance access to justice.
-30-
Aussi disponible en français
Ms Lauren Bates
Staff Lawyer
Law Commission of Ontario
(416) 650-8406
olderadults@lco-cdo.org
