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Clinton News Record, 2014-10-08, Page 11STORE CLOSING End of November FAIL COLLECTIONS 30% OFF Your Size May Still Be Here COME IN SOON. j OUR SALE ROOM 70% OFF r Ladies take advantage of this sale for your quality merchandise PRICED TO GO International Day of Older Persons The General Assembly of the United Nations desig- nated October 1 as the Inter- national Day of Older Persons. By designating a special day in recognition of seniors the UN is drawing attention to the important contribu- tion of seniors and to chang- ing demographics: the grey- ing of the population - the "age of aging." Unifor affirms a commit- ment to older persons and the essential contributions they make to our communities. "It's vital to remember that older persons are the most vulnerable in society and are among the first to fall victim to the effects of a down turn in the economy and to the negative impact of increas- ing globalization," said Len Hope, Chairperson of the Unifor Retired Workers Council Executive and Uni- for Executive Board member. In Canada, many seniors are living in poverty and do not have adequate housing, care or access to health ser- vices. As well, the rate of poverty is particularly high among senior women. We also know that recent changes to Canada's retire- ment income system are of concern to many Canadians. The increase of the retire- ment age for the Old Age Security pension from 65 to 67 will start in 2023 and this will impact low income sen- iors the most. Those who work in physically demand- ing jobs and those with poor health will no longer have the option to retire at 65. Meanwhile, those who rely on federally regulated defined benefit pension plans recently discovered that the federal government plans to introduce legisla- tion to allow for those plans to be changed to the less secure target benefit plans. In a target benefit plan retiree pension cheques can be cut. Many seniors' organisations have objected, insisting that employers have a responsibility to hon- our their pension promises. At the same time they con- tinue to pressure the federal government to improve retirement security for eve- ryone by expanding the Can- ada Pension Plan. This is a policy decision that would benefit the next generation of workers the most and have little impact on today's seniors. In the next federal elec- tion, Unifor will be urging all federal parties to develop and outline a plan of action that identifies independ- ence, participation, care, self-fulfillment and retire- ment with dignity as central features of respect for older persons. The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on October 1, 1991. cl i ntonnewsrecord.com Wednesday, October 8, 2014 • News Record 11 Candidates' survey looks at poverty in Huron County A new survey asks municipal candidates in Huron County for their thoughts on reducing poverty in their communities. Hungry for Action in Huron is part of a larger initiative coordinated by the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health. Huron County is one of several counties in Ontario participating in the survey. About 120 sur- veys have been sent out locally. Candidates are asked how they define poverty and what steps munici- palities could take to taclde the issue. "Poverty negatively impacts health and the ability to create a healthy, vibrant community," says Janice Dunbar, commu- nity developer at the Huron County Health Unit. "The fact that some people in our communi- ties cannot afford basic needs, including nutri- tious and sufficient food, is a real concern." "We've been fortunate in Huron County to have politicians committed to addressing poverty. This issue continues to deserve the attention of elected officials." she adds. Hungry for Action in Huron is sponsored by the Poverty to Prosperity in Huron Network. Net- work partners include the Huron County Health Unit, Rural Response for Healthy Children, Huron County Social and Prop- erty Services, and the United Way Perth -Huron. The network encour- ages local decision mak- ers to work towards healthy public policy that reduces poverty and improves access to food. Candidates, along with local business leaders, have also been invited to the Hungry for Action poverty simulation in Clinton November 4. Candidates are being asked to reply to the sur- vey by October 10. Results will be posted on [ http:// www.huronhealthunit.ca ] www. huronhealthunit. ca. OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Clinton News Record are as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm Clinton News Record 53 Albert St., Clinton, ON PH: 519-482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com Cammie's of Bayfield • Open 7 days 1 1 -5pm www. cammiesofbayfield. ca See You Soon