March 31, 2025 – Winnipeg, MB
After years of determined advocacy, the CARP Manitoba Chapter has achieved a resounding victory for seniors across the province with the establishment of Manitoba’s new Seniors’ Advocate Office. Despite efforts by the opposition party to slow down the introduction of a Seniors’ Advocate, the province confirmed the legislated office was going ahead in a March 28 announcement. This milestone underscores the power of grassroots dedication and positions CARP Manitoba as a pivotal force in shaping policy for older adults.
The campaign for an independent Seniors’ Advocate—a role tasked with championing the rights and needs of Manitoba’s aging population—began long before it gained political traction. CARP Manitoba volunteers, a steadfast cohort of community advocates, spent years pressing the case, outlining the urgent need for a dedicated voice to address gaps in health care, housing, and social services. Under the previous government, these appeals were met with resistance, leaving seniors’ concerns sidelined despite the chapter’s persistent outreach.
The turning point came during the 2023 provincial election, when the NDP pledged to create the Seniors’ Advocate Office—a commitment CARP Manitoba swiftly endorsed as a breakthrough for its members. Post-election, CARP Manitoba maintained its momentum, engaging with policymakers to ensure the promise translated into action. The government’s recent confirmation of the office’s creation validates that vigilance.
This triumph is a collective achievement, owed to the countless volunteers who fueled CARP Manitoba’s advocacy over the years. From drafting correspondence, brining the issues to the forefront on media and to political candidates and in mobilizing community support, their resolve transformed an aspirational goal into real chanage for seniors.
To our volunteers: thank you for proving that perseverance pays off. Manitoba’s seniors owe you a debt of gratitude; your work has not only secured a legacy of change but also set a benchmark for what organized advocacy can accomplish.
Looking ahead, CARP Manitoba is poised to collaborate with the Seniors’ Advocate Office to ensure it delivers meaningful results for seniors. This victory marks a new chapter, not an endpoint, in our mission to enhance the quality of life for older Manitobans.
