Speaker Series continues in 2026 with a great line-up of presenters and topics! Get the answers to your most pressing questions at monthly seminars and panels.

Are you finding yourself continually looking for facts to get answers to your most pressing questions? The Empowered Seniors Speakers Series is a free community service offered to seniors and their families.

Every month, you can attend a seminar or a panel where you’ll gain valuable and honest information regarding topics that are important to senior living and retired people. You’ll leave each event with the ability to make informed decisions, and you’ll meet experts who can provide reliable and current information.

The seminars and expert panels are a community service offered AT NO COST to seniors and their families. 

2026 topics include:

✔ Planning Ahead: Health, legal, and estate essentials

✔ Women & Wealth: Financial strategies for a longer life

✔ Technology tips, fraud prevention, and more

✔ Plus our annual Living Well Expo on April 8, with 30+ local organizations

Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Click on the registration link or call 905-330-5201 to save your seat for any of the sessions. 

Dates and Times:

All sessions are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and run from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (doors open at 1:00 PM).

Location:

Burlington Art Gallery
(Rotary and Shoreline Rooms)

1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington ON

Parking
There is a $5 fee for parking at the Art Gallery on the afternoons of each of our sessions. When you park in the parking lot on the north side of the building, there's no need to purchase parking tickets at the machine. Instead, simply head inside where you'll be asked to pay your $5 at the reception desk by the north doors of the Art Gallery. There will be no need to return to your car to place a parking pass on your windshield and your car will not be ticketed.

Upcoming Events

August 12, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
(doors open at 1:00 PM)

seniors-empowered-aug-2026

Where Will You Live Next? Exploring Housing Options as We Age

When it comes to aging well, where you live can be just as important as how you live.

This month, join Marion Goard, Real Estate Broker, Lifestyle 55+ Master, Seniors Real Estate Specialist and trusted guide for later-in-life transitions, as she walks us through the many housing choices available to older adults—whether you're planning for the future or facing a change right now.

From staying in your family home with the right support, to rightsizing, to retirement living and long-term care, Marion will break down the pros, cons, and questions to ask at each stage. She’ll also address common fears and myths, offer practical advice on how to prepare emotionally and financially, and share real-world insight from the many families she’s supported through these transitions.

Joining Marion will be Garth Brown (Mary's Ark) and Andy Hagen (Waterview Mortgages) who will provide insight into accessory dwellings and reverse mortgages. Whether these solutions are suitable for you or not, it's always best to learn the facts from reliable professionals.  Garth and Andy will do just that - share the facts.

This session is designed to empower both seniors and their families with information, clarity, and confidence around one of life’s biggest decisions.

Join us on August 12, 2026 for this down-to-earth, informative, and solutions-focused seminar that will help you reimagine aging on your terms. Reserve your free seat at the link below.

Free event, reserve your seat

Burlington Art Gallery - 1333 Lakeshore Rd. Burlington ON

August 17, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

seniors-empowered-aug-17-2026

August Mini Session 1 - Financing Real Estate Later in Life: Reverse Mortgages & More

Presented by Andy Hagen, Tango Financial (ON) #13691

Real estate decisions later in life can come with different questions than they did years ago. Whether you are considering downsizing, staying in your current home, helping family, accessing equity, or simply exploring your options, understanding the financial side of the conversation is an important place to start.

Join me and guest presenter Andy Hagen of Waterview Mortgages for an informative mini session on reverse mortgages and financing options for homeowners later in life. This session will cover common questions, important considerations, and the role financing can play when creating a housing plan that supports your lifestyle, goals, and future plans.

This session is ideal for:

  • Homeowners who want to better understand reverse mortgages
  • Adults exploring ways to access home equity
  • Families supporting parents through housing decisions
  • Anyone planning their next chapter and looking for clear, no-pressure information

Space is limited. Please register in advance to secure a spot.

Free event, reserve your seat

Keller Williams Edge Realty, Brokerage - 1-3185 Harvester Rd. Burlington ON

August 24, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

seniors-empowered-aug-24-2026

August Mini Session 2 - Additional Residential Units: Creating More Flexibility at Home On Your Property!

Presented by Garth Brown, Mary’s Ark

Take control of your housing future! Discover your options and opportunities!

For many families, the future of homeownership looks much different than it once did. Additional Residential Units (ARU’s) — such as secondary suites, garden suites, basement apartments, garage conversions and other flexible living arrangements — can create opportunities for multigenerational living, additional income, aging in place, or simply having more options close to home, while also increasing the equity of your property.

Join me and guest presenter Garth Brown of Mary’s Ark for a practical conversation about additional residential units and what homeowners need to know about these options. The session will explore how accessory dwellings can support changing family needs, what possibilities may exist for your property, and the key considerations involved in planning a project.

This session is ideal for:

  • Homeowners exploring multigenerational living and/or aging-in-place solutions
  • Families planning for aging parents or adult children
  • Anyone interested in creating more flexibility on their property
  • Homeowners curious about garden suites, secondary units, and other housing options
  • Homeowners and real estate investors interested in the benefits of creating much needed apartments for housing agencies in Halton Region

Space is limited. Please register in advance to secure a spot.

Free event, reserve your seat

Keller Williams Edge Realty, Brokerage - 1-3185 Harvester Rd. Burlington ON

September 9, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
(doors open at 1:00 PM)

seniors-empowered-sep-2026

Disability Tax Credit 101 – What It Is, Who Qualifies, and How to Apply

Understanding the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be. If you or someone you care for is living with a disability, you may be eligible for significant financial relief through this underutilized benefit. The key is knowing where to start and what qualifies.

This month’s Empowered Seniors Speaker Series features Peter Curtis, an experienced paralegal and founder of Disability Tax Results, who has spent over two decades helping Canadians navigate the complexities of the DTC. Whether you’ve never heard of the credit or have been denied before, this session is designed to bring clarity and confidence to the process.

Peter will walk you through eligibility, common misunderstandings, and what to do if your case is more complex than average. You’ll leave with a better understanding of your options—and how to begin the process of applying or reapplying for yourself or a loved one.

Because accessing the financial support you deserve shouldn’t feel out of reach.

During this presentation you’ll learn:

  • What the Disability Tax Credit is and who qualifies
  • How to apply for the DTC—even if you’ve been denied in the past
  • What conditions and medical circumstances meet CRA criteria
  • How to access retroactive refunds and additional benefits
  • The difference between simple and complex cases—and when to seek support

Join us on September 9, 2026 for this practical and empowering seminar. Reserve your free seat at the link below.

Free event, reserve your seat

Burlington Art Gallery - 1333 Lakeshore Rd. Burlington ON

October 14, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
(doors open at 1:00 PM)

seniors-empowered-oct-2026

MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying): What You Need to Know and Where to Find Support

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) has been legal in Canada for ten years, and many Canadians now have lived experience with this option. While MAiD involves a clear medical and legal process, it is also deeply personal and emotional for individuals and families navigating end-of-life decisions.

In this thoughtful and informative session, the Empowered Seniors Speaker Series will explore both the practical realities and the human side of MAiD. The first half of the presentation will focus on the current legislation in Canada as of 2026 and explain how the process is typically accessed. The second half will shift to the real-life experiences of those who support patients and families through this journey, offering insight into the emotional, ethical, and supportive aspects of end-of-life planning.

This session is designed to provide clarity, education, and compassionate understanding for seniors and their families who want to be informed about their options and the supports available.

We’ll explore:

  • Current MAiD legislation in Canada and what it means today
  • Steps involved in accessing MAiD
  • Still-unresolved issues and ongoing conversations around the law
  • The role of end-of-life doulas in supporting patients and families
  • Other sources of emotional, practical, and community support

Join us on October 14, 2026 for this important and informative seminar. Reserve your free seat at the link below.

Free event, reserve your seat

Burlington Art Gallery - 1333 Lakeshore Rd. Burlington ON

November 11, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
(doors open at 1:00 PM)

seniors-empowered-nov-2026

TBD

Join us on November 11, 2026 for this important and informative seminar. Reserve your free seat at the link below.

Free event, reserve your seat

Burlington Art Gallery - 1333 Lakeshore Rd. Burlington ON

December 9, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
(doors open at 1:00 PM)

seniors-empowered-dec-2026

TBD

Join us on December 9, 2026 for this important and informative seminar. Reserve your free seat at the link below.

Free event, reserve your seat

Burlington Art Gallery - 1333 Lakeshore Rd. Burlington ON

Event Registration


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Testimonials

  Marion was referred to me by a very highly respected "business friend" and she proved to be all that my friend boasted about. I did not really think that I needed an agent to assist me in selling my home ......... but I was proven to be wrong ! Many of the "details" would have been sorely overlooked and could have proven to be a disaster for me ! Marion handles every detail with great professionalism and was able to complete my sales transaction without a worry to me. I would, indeed, recommend Marion to my friends knowing that I was doing them a great service.

Client, Burlington ON

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