Le Lézard
Subject: AVO

Canadian organization calls out apparent ageism in the Canadian Senate and Honours System


VANCOUVER, April 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadians For A Greater Canada today calls on the Prime Minister of Canada's Office and The Governor General's Office at Rideau Hall to ensure that the Canadian Senate has better appropriation of younger Canadians and does not participate in ageism. After a recent poll by Canadians For A Greater Canada using publicly available age information of Senate members, findings show that there are no Senators under the age of forty-three, even though the youngest age once can be appointed is age thirty. This sharply conflicts with Prime Minister Trudeau's supposed focus on equality and youth as Minister of Youth.

Canadians For A Greater Canada calls on the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Julie Payette, The Governor General of Canada, to have at least one person representing youth in the Senate, and at least one new appointment each time new members are appointed to the Order of Canada. Now is the time to have the Prime Minister recommend someone to Senate who is thirty-years-old, the minimum age required to be a Senator. Given he is also the Minister of Youth, it would only be appropriate "in 2018" to appoint the youngest Senator position available based on applications. It would further be a great opportunity to for the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments to show just how forward-thinking it can be and relevant in proper representation of Canadian Citizens. While this will make a primarily symbolic impact, it will lay the foundation for consideration of all Canadians regardless of their age. Ageism should not exist, nor be representative in Canada at the highest levels of government and honours systems. Said different, Canadians For A Greater Canada believes that if all Canadians are not represented in the Canadian Senate, nor in the Order of Canada, "Canada" should not be included in their respective names in it at all.

The Order Of Canada does not have an age restriction, but based on photographic evidence available from The Governor General of Canada's website, hardly any "Great Canadians" appear to be under the age of forty or fifty. We urge Canadians to look through the Order Of Canada photos themselves and see if they can spot one individual who represents those in their twenties, thirties or even forties. The photographic evidence is overwhelmingly disproportionate and gives way to young Canadians thinking that their difference is not recognizable. Given that the Right Honourable, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada is at forty-six the second youngest Prime Minister of Canada, and Governor General, is equally as youthful, it is unfair that there are not more, if any, young great Canadians representing our Senate and within Canada's second highest honour for merit in the Canadian system of orders, decorations and medals of Canada.  Canadians For A Greater Canada believes that ageism exists and is prominent and is a disgrace to the Order Of Canada and Canadian Senate. This is a non-partisan issue.

About Canadians For A Greater Canada

Canadians For A Greater Canada is a grassroots organization consisting of Canadian researchers, advocates, and thinkers, who are tuned into assisting with Canadian consumer advocacy and mandated to create a fair and equal environment for all Canadian Citizens.

SOURCE Canadians For A Greater Canada



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