Since Inception -September 2010 to Now October 2025
We wanted to share with you some background information on the Mississauga Seniors’ Council (MSC), an organization that has made a significant impact in advocating for the needs of seniors in our community since its founding in 2010. The MSC was established through the dedication of three determined passionate individuals: Frank Stendardo, Robert (Bob) Harrick, and Late Bernard Jourdaan, who together worked tirelessly to ensure that seniors in Mississauga were given the attention and services they deserved.
Founding Story and Milestones The MSC’s journey began when Frank Stendardo, then President of the Huron Park Italo Canadian Seniors Club, reached out to the City of Mississauga to address concerns regarding the lack of dedicated services for seniors. After an initial response indicating there was no department specifically for seniors, Frank’s advocacy efforts resulted in a crucial meeting with city officials and representatives from various local seniors clubs. This account highlights the persistence and efforts of Frank in advocating for the rights of seniors and community organizations in Mississauga. Frank’s involvement in the bingo issue (one of the achievement below) is a clear example of how he successfully brought attention to the needs of local seniors leading to the city’s decision to issue licenses for bingo games for them. His action including the CBC televised moment where he made a memorable statement about being “handcuffed” until achieved drew significant public and media attention which ultimately contributed to the change in
the policy. It was during this meeting that Frank met Bob and Bernard, who quickly became key allies in the fight for better senior services. One of their early accomplishments was raising awareness about the displacement of seniors from the Huron Park Community Centre during the summer to accommodate youth programs,
an issue that highlighted the city’s lack of focus on its senior population. In September 2010, the MSC was officially formed with Bernard Jourdaan as President, Bob Harrick as Vice President, and Frank Stendardo as Public Relations Director. Together, they worked to draft the council’s constitution, which positioned the MSC as the key liaison between the city and its senior
citizens.
Key Milestones and Achievements: 1. $1.00 Bus Tickets for seniors: With the support of city councillor Carolyn Parrish, the MSC advocated successfully for discounted bus tickets for seniors, making transportation more affordable. (Achieved). As of October 2024, ongoing efforts continued to advocate for 24/7 free
MiWay rides for all seniors. Free MiWay Rides for Seniors – Effective July 1, 2025, seniors
facility within the city of Mississauga opposed to the one where initially they were enrolled in.
(Achieved) Bingo Legalization: Frank and Bob played a pivotal role in advocating for the legalization of
Bingo for seniors, resulting in the city issuing licenses for seniors’ clubs to run Bingo games.
(Achieved) 5. Advocacy during COVID-19: During the pandemic, the MSC worked tirelessly to ensure that seniors were financially supported, leading to a $300 payment to all Canadian seniors. In addition, the MSC successfully pushed for a $500 payment for seniors aged 74 and older, along
with a permanent 10% increase in pensions. (Achieved) | 6. Community Centre Space: In 2019, Frank continued his advocacy by making a deputation to Mississauga City Council to secure meeting spaces for the Mississauga Seniors’ Council (MSC) at which point we were just considered seniors ADVOCATES. That’s when Carolyn Parrish – the city councillor at the time, moved a motion which was unanimously passed by all to secure the spaces they needed for their gatherings. (Achieved), In addition, Carolyn Parrish generously
gave $500 worth of cash to MSC. The MSC still continues to work on securing year round more space in community centers
dedicated to senior activities. (In progress) 7. Windrow Program (Snow Removal Assistance Program for seniors) The MSC helped establish this program, which supports seniors by clearing ploughed snowbanks in front of their driveways during winter, ensuring safety and mobility. (Achieved April 2025; to be in effect for
Winter 2025 and onward)
- Free enrollment to all city run recreational facilities: All seniors 65+ should have free access to all city run recreation programs, inclusive of walking track, senior center, swim, skate, fitness
center, squash court and virtual classes etc.. (Achieved April 2025)
Continued Advocacy and Impact: Over the years, the MSC’s work extends beyond these milestones, as it continues to engage all levels of government including provincial politicians and organizations like the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) on behalf of seniors. The collective efforts of Frank, Bob, and late Bernard-affectionately known as the “three Unstoppables”-have made the MSC a
powerful voice for seniors rights and needs in Mississauga. Today, the MSC stands as a powerful legacy of the founders’ dedication to improving the lives of the seniors in the city. Their advocacy has ensured that the voices of seniors are heard, their
needs addressed and their concerns acted upon, making a lasting impact on the community. MSC lives on in the significant progress it has made and continues to make in improving the
lives of seniors across the city. If you’d like more information or would like to discuss how the MSC’s work could align with your
own interests or initiatives, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Robert Harrick – President – email: rharrick@bell.net. Cell # 416-786-5083
Frank Stendardo – Chair – email: fstendardo@hotmail.com Cell # 416-559-4993