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11 | W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,June 16,2022 w aterloochronicle.ca PERMANENT ROOF REBATES SENIOR'S DISCOUNT (Over 55 Yrs) SENIOR'S NO HST (Over 55 Yrs) By Liz Bruckner Wendy Shivers, a Toronto-based senior, has always been interested in activist causes. But decades of raising children, working full time, and juggling a never-ending list of extracur- ricular activities and responsibilities made finding time to get involved a challenge. "One of the first things I did after retiring was research which social activism groups, programs and initiatives were in my area because I knew I wanted to make a difference somehow," she says. "Having the opportunity to link arms with like-minded people who share a common goal of trying to bring about change in our community, region, province and beyond has been so incredibly reward- ing, and it's awakened a passion in me." Shivers is not alone. While Canadian seniors have long chosen to be active and engaged in their com- munity via volunteering efforts -- the most recent "Action for Seniors" report from the Government of Canada shows approximately 36 per cent of seniors take on these giving- back initiatives -- the number of those join- ing organizations with a social activism slant also seems to be on the rise. According to Nick De Carlo, co-chair of Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN!), a grassroots, Ontario-based seniors movement for democratic, accountable, equitable, and participatory climate action, the group has grown from 20 to more than 160 members since July of 2020. "We attribute this growth to two factors: an overall increase in the interest seniors have and are developing in climate-based activism, as well as the growth of other similar seniors organizations, both in size and numbers, such as Climate Legacy, Grandmothers Acting to Save the Planet, For Our Children, Elders for Climate Sanity, and more," he says. As the youth of the past, De Carlo says the boomer generation has historically been pas- sionate about social action, but their resolve to effect change now has been ignited by the dire societal travesties that have risen to the national and global surface in recent years. "For members of SCAN! in particular, it's the prospect of the headlong rush toward a warming world -- one which threatens all of us, including seniors who face the prospect of increasing heat waves, flooding, forest fires, etc. -- that has intensified the passion, as has the considerable threat it poses to future generations," De Carlo says. With a goal of mobilizing older adults as an active force in their neighbourhoods, in seniors organizations, on social media, and in the streets, SCAN!'s focus in on effectively cre- ating opportunities in which talented, driven retirees can fully participate and utilize their strengths and abilities to further the cause. "While we've limited our organizing initia- tives to Ontario for practical reasons, SCAN! members have made a point of being active on national issues and are working with some of Canada-wide organizations, including CAN- RAC and Environmental Defence," he says. Their methods include everything from organizing demonstrations and conducting webinars to researching, critiquing and expos- ing government climate policies that damage the environment. "Over the last year and a half, we have con- ducted a campaign calling for a People's First Climate plan during the 2020 federal election, researched and developed an exposure of the Ford government's attacks on climate poli- cy, conducted and co-sponsored numerous webinars, developed and presented street the- atre skits and videos, supported and engaged in environmentally-focused demonstrations and coalitions, and so much more," he says. Ultimately, for SCAN! members -- and most likely those involved in any seniors activist group, De Carlo says -- it's about sensing the urgency of the moment and moving forward. SENIORS FOR SOCIAL ACTIvISm: The 'youth of the past' are taking up the cause for social action Seniors MonthJUNE IS