WHEN
Wednesday June 11th, 2025
From 10 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific /
From 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern
REGISTER TODAY
ABOUT
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), observed globally on June 15th, unites communities in protecting older adults' right to age with dignity and security. Recognized by the United Nations, this annual observance combines education, advocacy, and celebration to create positive change. Canada's network of elder abuse prevention organizations works year-round to provide support and resources, with WEAAD serving as a powerful platform for awareness and action. Together, we're building communities where every older adult can age boldly, safely, and with the respect they deserve. Join us in celebrating aging while standing against elder abuse.
Like previous years, CNPEA, EAPO, CanAge and many provincial partners, are inviting Canadians of all ages to become a champion of elder abuse prevention and to stand up for the rights of older people. This year, we challenge you all to age with attitude!
Join us on June 11th for a lively, interactive panel discussion with speakers who are engaged in changing the way we think about aging and treat older people, promoting the rights of older persons in their own way. They will share their knowledge and initiatives to address ageism and discuss different approaches to help build more inclusive, safer communities for all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers through a moderated Q & A period.
Ending ageism and elder abuse begins with acknowledging seniors have the right to live with dignity and respect. Change can happen if citizens, advocates, professionals and leaders in communities and governments work on a shared vision to prevent violence and abuse of older people in their homes and communities.
MODERATOR
Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO, CanAge
As the CEO of CanAge, Laura Tamblyn Watts embodies a commitment to the betterment of elder care and seniors’ rights. Her multifaceted career spans law, academia, and policy development, reflecting a dedication to impactful advocacy and education.
With a legal background as a member of the BC Bar since 1999, Laura has leveraged her expertise to advance the interests of seniors, serving as National Director of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law and as Chief Public Policy Officer at CARP. Her academic role as an Assistant Professor (status) at the University of Toronto’s Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work underscores her commitment to shaping future professionals in the field.
Recognized for her leadership with a Community Leadership in Justice Fellowship by the Law Foundation of Ontario, Laura’s influence is felt both nationally and internationally through her affiliations with global universities. Her governance experience is extensive, including positions as a Board Director with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), and past roles with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
Laura’s compassionate service is evident through her board memberships with Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, PACE Independent Living, and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). Her consumer advocacy is further demonstrated in her role as Chair of the Consumer Advisory Panel of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) and membership on the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) Consumer Advisory Panel. Her instrumental role in the Canadian Standards Association’s development of National Standards for Long Term Care, and ongoing work for Home and Community Care standards, showcases her commitment to systemic improvement.
As an in-demand speaker, Laura has shared her insights at numerous global forums and has been a prominent media figure, participating in over 4000 interviews since 2020. Author of recent book, “Let’s Talk About Aging Parents.”
PANELISTS
Dr. Raza M. Mirza, Director of National Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization, HelpAge Canada and Assistant Professor (Status) at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Institute for Life Course and Aging
Raza M. Mirza, PhD received his MSc and doctorate degrees from the Graduate department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. His areas of expertise and teaching interests include research methods and evaluation, medical decision-making, the socio-behavioral determinants of health in persons aging with a chronic illness, aging-in-place, and factors such as social isolation and loneliness influencing late-life social, mental and physical well-being.
He has been an invited speaker at national and international gerontology and geriatrics conferences, workshops and symposiums, and has consulted with various levels of government on diverse issues related to an aging population.
Dr. Satya Brink, Internationally known Learning and Education policy researcher
Dr. Satya Brinkis an internationally known Learning and Education policy researcher with a career spanning thirty years in a range of senior roles for governments, academia and the OECD, followed by twelve years of international consulting for Governments, UNESCO, OECD and the World Bank. She is the author of the book “The Longevity Dividend – Later life, Lifelong Learning and Productive Societies” published by Springer in 1923. She is an affiliated researcher at ENCELL, Jönköping University, Sweden and an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Dr. Laura Kadowaki, Specialist, Research and Knowledge Mobilization for the Healthy Aging Department at United Way BC
Dr. Laura Kadowaki is a Specialist, Research and Knowledge Mobilization for the Healthy Aging Department at United Way BC. Through her work with the Raising the Profile Project and United Way BC, she has been collaborating with the community-based seniors’ services sector in BC since 2016 to raise the profile of and build the capacity of this sector.
Laura has a PhD in Gerontology from Simon Fraser University. Her areas of research interest include community-based seniors’ services, ageism, seniors’ housing, and home and community care. Laura is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University. She is also an Executive Committee Member for the Canadian Coalition Against Ageism.
Katie Sawyers, Coordinator, Age-Friendly,| Age-Friendly Caledon Project Lead, Community Services, Department Town of Caledon
Katie has spent the past nine years dedicated to supporting older adults (55+) in Caledon and the surrounding area through her role as Age-Friendly Coordinator with the Town of Caledon. In this capacity, she plays a central role in implementing council-approved strategic initiatives that help ensure older residents have the resources and supports needed to age well and age in place.
Katie currently serves as the staff liaison for the Town’s Age-Friendly Advisory Committee and holds several leadership roles beyond the municipality—she is the Co-Chair of the Southern Ontario Age-Friendly Network, a Municipal Representative on the Pan-Canadian Age-Friendly Reference Group, and an active contributor to a variety of community collaboratives and initiatives.
