Vice President, Advocacy, CARP: the Canadian Association for Retired Persons
“People who live in walkable neighbourhoods are more likely to feel a stronger sense of community than residents of car-oriented neighbourhoods.”
Susan Eng is Vice President for Advocacy at CARP, the national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination for all Canadians as we age.
Having grown up in Toronto, Susan knows the value of pedestrian infrastructure. Being able to walk in a city provides residents, particularly seniors, with an opportunity to stay active, prevent the onset of illness, remain independent and to be much more engaged in their communities. Many older Canadians have to give up their cars and risk social isolation from this blow to their mobility. Eventually this leads to displacement as many will move out of the neighbourhoods they called home. Investments in the infrastructure to make active transportation and transit access a legitimate and safe option for all residents will create age-friendly cities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). CARP believes that older Canadians deserve the dignity of remaining in the communities they have always lived. Active transportation is critical to our current and future cities, and to our personal futures as we age.