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CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS: TEMPLATE FOR LETTER TO MINISTERS GARNEAU AND SCHULTE URGING CANADA’S SUPPORT FOR A CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS

<Date>

The Honourable Marc Garneau,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Honourable Deb Schulte,
Minister of Seniors

Cc: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

House of Commons
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6

Email addresses:  
marc.garneau@international.gc.ca  
Deb.Schulte@parl.gc.ca 
pm@pm.gc.ca           

Subject: It is time for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Dear Minister Garneau and Minister Schulte,

INTRODUCTION: Choose one of the following sentences or come up with your own:

  1. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the impact of ageism and discrimination against older persons all around the world and highlighted the need for a legal instrument to protect the human rights of older persons. OR
  2. COVID-19 has shone a light on how ageism and invisibility have denied older persons their rights to protection and to dignity. These are rights of all persons whether they are rich or poor, young or old, ailing or healthy. OR
  3. Older people around the world face discrimination every day. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the inequalities they are exposed to. Strengthening protection for older people’s human rights is the best single response to address age discrimination.

ASK: All letters should say this in one form or another:

I am a member of the Grandmothers Advocacy Network (GRAN) and I am writing in support of the efforts of the International Longevity Centre (ILC) Canada to enlist Canada’s support and leadership for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.  The ILC’s appeal was made in a letter available at:  https://www.ilccanada.org/images/Letter.pdf 

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:  Choose one of the following sentences or come up with your own:

  1. It is time to lay the foundations for a UN Convention to make sure such violations never happen again. OR
  2. It is time to enshrine the rights of older people in a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. OR
  3. Older people’s rights are mostly invisible under international law. It is time for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

 <Your Name, email, postal address, and telephone number>

Member, Grandmothers Advocacy Network (GRAN)

Cc: <Your Member of Parliament>

Bcc:  grandmothersadvocacy@gmail.com