What is the mandate of the expert panel?

• As committed in Budget 2006, the Government is establishing a panel of experts to undertake a feasibility study to evaluate current and potential measures to address the challenges faced by unemployed older workers, including the need for improved training and enhanced income support, such as early retirement benefits;
• The panel will be independent from Government and will consult with provincial and territorial governments extensively throughout the process;
• The panel will submit its report to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development in the summer of 2007;
• The report will include concrete recommendations on potential government and stakeholder actions to assist older workers over the long term.

What is the Panel's definition of an older worker?

• Older workers are typically Canadians aged 55 to 64;
• Evidence indicates that workers who have lost their jobs and are between the ages of 55 and 64 experience greater difficulty finding employment than other age groups;
• However, the Panel is not limited to this definition and may choose to broaden the scope.

Who does the expert panel report to?

• The panel is expected to deliver its report to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development in the summer of 2007;
• The panel will undertake their work independently – at arm's length from government;
• This will permit the panel to undertake a thorough, evidence-based and transparent examination of the range of measures, including improved training and enhanced income support that could assist older workers.

Why undertake such a large study ?

• Older workers represent a critical segment of the labour force and make an important contribution to Canada's economy and labour market;
• It is therefore important to fully assess the labour market impacts of possible initiatives, such as improved training and enhanced income support, for instance early retirement benefits.

How will provinces and territories participate in the study?

• Throughout their work, the panel of experts will consult extensively with provincial and territorial governments.

Who else will be consulted?

• Along with consulting provincial and territorial governments, the expert panel will seek the views of stakeholders including the academic community, employers, labour groups and other organizations;
• These views will be sought through a variety of ways, including roundtable discussions;
• The public at large will be able to submit documents to the Secretariat.

What is the difference between the work of the Expert Panel and the work of the Senate Committee on Aging?

The role and mandate of the Senate Committee on Aging is to examine and report upon the implications of an aging society in Canada. For more information on the work of the Senate Committee please consult the following link. http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/agei.htm

The objective of the Expert Panel is to undertake a feasibility study on older workers as outlined in Budget 2006: "...conduct, in partnership with provinces and territories, a feasibility study to evaluate current and potential measures to address the challenges faced by displaced older workers, including the need for improved training and enhanced income support, such as early retirement benefits." For more information on the mandate of the Expert Panel please consult the Terms of Reference

What is the role of the Secretariat?

The role of the Secretariat is to provide administrative and professional services to the Expert Panel. The Secretariat will assist in its consultations and research. It may call on the expertise of the Department of Human Resources and Social Development.

How can I communicate with the Secretariat or member of the Expert Panel?

The role of the Secretariat is to provide administrative and professional services to the Expert Panel. Please refer to the Contact Us section of the website to reach staff at the Secretariat.

When will provincial and territorial bilateral meeting take place?

The Expert Panel will meet with provincial and territorial government officials from March to July of 2007.

What is a displaced worker?

Statistics Canada defines a displaced worker as anyone who, having held a steady job for a substantial period of time (at least one or two years), lost their job because of a plant closing, an employer going out of business, or a layoff from which the worker was not recalled.

What is an older worker?

Who is an older worker? Many definitions are currently in use, depending on the source of information. For instance, Statistics Canada, in its Spring 1998 issue of the Labour Force Update, defined older workers as "workers aged 55 or over"; the National Advisory Council on Ageing refers to individuals aged over 45, while the U.S. Age Discrimination in Employment Act applies to workers who are 40 years of age and more.

Generally, studies on older workers subdivide the group into those aged 55 and over and those aged between 45 and 55. When discussing issues related to age groups, it would appear that the context determines the boundaries between one age group and another. For purposes of this policy study, older workers are defined as employees spanning the age group 55-64, unless otherwise specified. Although it may seem to be an arbitrary choice, this definition is in line with previous research conducted at Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).