Your B.C. CARP representative, April Lewis, pictured with MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors, Ron Cantelon, was invited to be part of a Stakeholder Meeting for the creation of a Seniors’ Advocate for British Columbia.

Following up on the Ministry of Health’s consultation discussion paper of May 2012 entitled Creating a Seniors’ Advocate for British Columbia, a roundtable discussion took place in Surrey on June 1st with participants from diverse  local organizations.  There were representatives from the Premier’s office as well as MLAs present.

The purpose of the discussion was to elicit feedback and suggestions on how an Office of the Seniors’ Advocate could best help and serve seniors in B.C.   It was suggested the purpose of the Senior’s Advocate “could be to promote and protect the interests of seniors while influencing positive systemic change for the benefit of all seniors living in B.C.”

Key functions of the Senior’s Advocate proposes:

1.  Advocacy Services

2.  Information and Advice

3.  Receiving and Referring Concerns and Complaints

4.  Public Awareness and Communication

5.  Collaboration and Engagement

The stakeholder meeting was followed up by a forum inviting the general public to proffer their suggestions and comments.

The panel will be travelling the province and wants to hear from you.  Please contact them in writing at:

Seniors Action Plan, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 9825, STN PROV GOV, Victoria, B.C.  V8W 9W4 or by email at [email protected].  

The deadline for written submissions is July 31, 2012.