Miramichi named N.B.'s newest age-friendly community

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The City of Miramichi has become the latest municipality in New Brunswick to be named an age-friendly community by the provincial government.

The city officially received the age-friendly designation from Seniors Minister Kathy Bockus at a ceremony attended by several local dignitaries Thursday at the Chatham Knights of Columbus Hall.

Bockus said the city achieving the designation after working toward it since 2018 was “wonderful news.”

“It acknowledges all of the hard work that this (age-friendly steering) committee has done,” she said after the announcement. “This didn’t just happen overnight, but it’s taken several years to get this done.”

Miramichi started the process to become age-friendly based on the province’s program. Community wellness and recreation director Jason Walsh previously told city council an age-friendly community encourages active aging and provides opportunities for health, participation, and security to enhance quality of life.

Age-friendly communities also adapt structures and services to be accessible and inclusive of seniors with varying needs and abilities, recognizes seniors have skills and abilities, respects seniors’ decisions and lifestyle choices, and protects those who are most vulnerable, Walsh said.

Miramichi is the 14th community to achieve the title since the program was launched in 2017. Others include Tracadie, Beresford, Cocagne, Dieppe, Moncton, Hampton, Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, Saint Andrews, New Maryland, Fredericton, Oromocto, and Nackawic.

The age-friendly program requires communities to pass a resolution to pursue the designation, form an advisory committee, assess the community, and develop and implement an action plan. The program is meant to encourage communities to take “sustainable action to become welcoming places for all ages and to encourage healthy aging and wellness,” according to a news release from the province.

Those actions include improvements to infrastructure to increase accessibility for seniors regarding transportation, outdoor spaces, and housing. Efforts are also made to promote social inclusion, intergenerational opportunities, and active living for all residents.

“Seniors want to be able to age in their own communities,” said Bockus. “The age-friendly community designation is one of many ways the Department of Social Development is supporting communities to make sure this happens.

“The number of age-friendly communities in the province is growing quickly.”

Bockus said many other communities are in various stages of the recognition process. In addition, several have been recognized for their continued efforts to maintain their age-friendly initiatives. Communities receiving the recognition must continue this approach and reapply every three years to maintain their status.

Bockus said age-friendly community designations are meant to accommodate people’s needs in every age group.

“It’s important,” she said. “It’s not only about keeping seniors in mind, but it’s good for everybody.”

Miramichi deputy mayor Paddy Quinn said seniors are “the heart of the community,” and the age-friendly designation helps the city ensure residents have the tools to live healthy, active lives as they age.

“Our community continues to grow and develop across all demographics,” he said. “We are a vibrant community because of the contributions of our seniors over the years.”