A new pan-Canadian coalition will bring together diverse voices and expertise to strengthen belonging among older adults across Canada.
HelpAge Canada is excited to announce the launch of the CanBelong Coalition, a national group of organizations and leaders working together to strengthen belonging and inclusion for older adults in communities across Canada.
The CanBelong Coalition brings together leading organizations in the healthy ageing space, representing diverse expertise and regional perspectives. Together, members will help guide the ongoing work of the CanBelong initiative, deepening our understanding of the causes of loneliness and social isolation and what it takes to foster meaningful connection and belonging as we age.
At the heart of this work is a shared belief that belonging matters. Social connectedness and inclusion are key determinants of health, yet too many older Canadians face barriers to fully participating in community life and experiencing a genuine sense of belonging. CanBelong is working to change that.
Building a stronger understanding of belonging and loneliness
As part of its mandate, the CanBelong Coalition will guide the development of a series of benchmarking tools to better understand the scope and drivers of loneliness among older adults in Canada.
These tools will provide insights into how loneliness is experienced across diverse populations, the contribution of community-based seniors’ services (CBSS) organizations to foster belonging, and promising approaches to reducing loneliness and social isolation. The findings will also inform advocacy and policy recommendations at the community, provincial, and national levels, grounded in both evidence and lived experience.
Bringing diverse voices to the table
The CanBelong Coalition was established to bring together diverse perspectives and representation from across Canada to strengthen our collective understanding of belonging. Over time, The Coalition will continue to evolve to reflect voices from different regions, sectors, communities, and areas of expertise, as well as the many factors that shape older adults’ experiences of connection and inclusion.
“Building a Canada where everyone can belong requires us to listen with intention and learn from one another,” says Olivia Bornik, Director of Canadian Programs at HelpAge Canada. “The CanBelong Coalition brings together organizations from across the country to deepen our understanding of loneliness and belonging, identify opportunities for systemic change, and advance solutions that enable older adults feel valued, connected, and included in their communities.”
The launch of the CanBelong Coalition marks an important step forward in elevating older adult inclusion and belonging on the national agenda. Through knowledge sharing, evidence-informed advocacy, and collaboration, the Coalition will help shape a future where all older adults can participate fully in community life and know that they belong.
Founding CanBelong Coalition Members
