TCSPN—Our Purpose To mobilize seniors and seniors-serving organizations in transforming the Tri-Cities region into an Age-Friendly Community through collaborative efforts that recognize the contributions, value, diversity and needs of seniors.

TCSPN—The Network Is primarily led by seniors Encourages the participation of the aging population Has a membership representing the diversity (including cultural diversity) of seniors in the Tri-Cities & including Anmore & Belcarra Encourages participation from agencies and organizations involved in servicing the needs of the aging population Follows the principles of an Age-Friendly Community, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO) Encourages caregiver participation

TCSPN—Our History The Tri-Cities Seniors Planning Network (TCSPN) was created in 2012 as a result of a Community Development project involving a series of focus groups and forums with seniors and seniors service providers on issues affecting Tri-Cities seniors. The process pinpointed areas of concern and effort needed to build an Age-Friendly community in the Tri-Cities, such as: housing, social inclusion, transportation, access for isolated seniors, bridging for new-immigrant seniors, lifelong learning, and coordinated services. Participants of the forums noted a lack of regional coordination of diverse services. TCSPN is dedicated to providing a stronger regional voice for seniors on these issues.

TCSPN—Our Members Include about 300 seniors and seniors’ caregivers from Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, & Belcarra Members attending our meetings include seniors, representatives from CARP, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Dogwood, Glen Pine, Wilson Centre, Fraser Health, Vancity, Investors’ Group, SHARE Society, RCMP, various seniors’ housing & service providers, Dementia & Alzheimers’ service providers Our members receive a regular newsletter and also have the opportunity to attend monthly meetings held in the Tri-Cities. Our first two events—a Transportation Forum, then a Housing Forum were two topics that were priorities for our members.

TCSPN—Transportation Forum Inaugural event for TCSPN was held on June 26, 2014 80 seniors and 30 vendors/exhibitors attended Topics included: ICBC Driver’s Re-examinations, the new Compass Card, how to access HandyDART and TaxiSavers, Trans-Link presented their Area Transit Plan, and City officials involved in the transportation planning of the Tri-Cities came as speakers on a panel, sharing each city's major transportation plan in the coming years.

TCSPN—Housing Forum 200 participants listening to speaker BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie addressing the crowd on Seniors Housing & Subsidy issues Held April 20, 2016 with workshop speakers on Seniors’ Care facilities and seniors’ housing needs. Included a free lunch & 23 vendors

TCSPN—BC Political Forum Held on April 4, 2017 All-Candidates Political Forum, Candidates and TCSPN Committee—focused on seniors issues especially medical & health issues with about 100 in attendance

TCSPN at Multicultural Seniors’ Day TCSPN Exhibit Display at Multicultural Seniors’ Day at Henderson Centre One of our Caregiver Members at the Seniors’ Day

TCSPN at Seniors & Caregivers’ Wellness Expo at Port Moody Inlet Centre

Tri-Cities Seniors Planning Network Our Request: TCSPN can help Council form policies that impact seniors and the creation of an age friendly community through our ability to marshal the organizations that can make a difference. TCSPN specifically asks to be represented on a Seniors’ Advisory Committee for the City with at least one member of TCSPN.

Thank you for the opportunity to present this submission to Council TCSPN Thank you for the opportunity to present this submission to Council