Quebec City, September 12, 2025 – By holding the 4the edition of the Seniors' Summit in as many years, the City of Québec has taken an important step in the renewal of its Age-Friendly Municipality (AFM) accreditation. Two meetings brought together 115 people and painted a rich portrait of the concerns and aspirations of members of our community aged 65 and over.
A collective look at the needs of older adults
The discussions made it possible to identify common observations around four main themes:
- Transportation and mobility: a marked need for accessibility and safety, with solutions expected in paratransit, community and active transportation.
- Housing and living environments: a demand for affordable and adapted housing, as well as increased support for home maintenance.
- Social participation and inclusion: the desire of older adults to contribute fully to community life and the need to break isolation and counter ageism.
- Communication and information: easier access to clear, adapted information disseminated on several channels, in order to reach all seniors; the desire to be able to speak directly to people rather than being directed to digital tools.
The MADA approach: a participatory
approach The MADA approach aims to adapt municipal policies, services and environments to promote active aging. It is based on listening, the participation of seniors and consultation with local stakeholders. The steering committee, made up of municipal, community and institutional representatives, plays a central role in the planning and monitoring of the process. The Council of Older Adults, for its part, acts as an advisory voice and ensures that the concerns expressed are at the heart of the priorities.
"When you think about it, seniors are experts in change management," said Marie-Pierre Boucher, executive committee member responsible for social and community development. Having gone through many transformations over the course of their lives, they play a valuable role in helping us anticipate and meet the challenges ahead, and to design our city for everyone. ».
Next steps
The findings of the Summit will feed into the drafting of the future MADA action plan. This plan will define concrete measures to improve the quality of life of seniors and strengthen their inclusion in all aspects of municipal life. In the coming weeks, the City's administrative units will analyze and prioritize actions based on their potential impact and feasibility.
A caring city for all ages
This Summit confirms the importance of building a community where everyone, regardless of age, can participate fully and live in a safe, accessible and caring environment. The mobilization observed shows that the aging of the population, far from being a challenge alone, represents an opportunity to strengthen solidarity, social innovation and the vitality of living environments throughout the territory.
Citizens can consult the section dedicated to seniors on the City of Québec website.
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