Seniors Advocate Expected as part of premier`s plan
Vancouver Sun, February 14, 2012
VICTORIA — Premier Christy Clark’s B.C. Liberal government will today announce its new strategy for seniors, including a commitment to create an independent advocate, The Vancouver Sun has learned.
The announcement comes the same day B.C. Ombudsperson Kim Carter is expected to release an almost 400-page report on the care of seniors. Carter’s report is expected to contain more than 170 recommendations on how to improve care across B.C.
The advocate will be a significant part of the government’s answer to Carter’s recommendations, and will be aimed at ensuring complaints involving seniors are dealt with significantly differently than they are today.
Clark hinted at the announcement Monday, during a 90-minute appearance on CKNW’s Bill Good Show, though provided no specific details.
“We will implement a seniors’ agenda that will improve support and services for the fastest growing part of our population,” she said.
Using the radio appearance to sketch out her agenda for the spring legislative sitting — which begins today in Victoria — Clark promised a “pretty rich” agenda for seniors.
Health Minister Mike de Jong is expected this afternoon to outline the entire plan, and to announce the advocate position.
Creation of the new role is expected to begin with consultations on how the advocate’s office should be established, what the legal framework should be as well as other parameters.
Some of the blueprints for the position may be borrowed from models already in use in other areas of government and social services.
For example, the seniors advocate is likely to be given responsibilities similar to those of the representative for children and youth, who is charged with holding government to account.
But seniors care goes beyond government — it delves into private facilities and other areas — so consultations will be held to determine the scope of power and responsibility for the advocate, such as whether the position will grant the power to review cases where seniors have been abused, or the necessity to get involved in consumer protection for seniors.
Many have called for a seniors advocate, with the Opposition NDP introducing a private members’ bill last November that, if passed, would have established the position, but the Representative for Seniors Act remains on the order paper, and never went past first reading. Clark also told radio listeners Monday she will unveil her anti-bullying strategy in the coming four-month session, and hinted at possible changes for the HST that could address issues in the home-building industry.
She also reiterated her government’s position on public sector negotiations, especially with teachers.
“We are not able to give teachers the raise they want,” Clark said. “I am just not interested in raising taxes to pay for public-sector wage increases.” Clark’s comments come days after the government appointed a senior bureaucrat to determine the likelihood of a negotiated settlement in the year-long labour dispute.
jfowlie@vancouversun.com
With files from Evan Duggan
