Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to raise the idea of a seniors advocate. As seniors represent an increasing percentage of the NWT population, the initial mandate of a seniors advocate could focus on helping seniors who are seeking or receiving health care supports and services.
This is a fairly new concept. Not quite a year ago, the Government of British Columbia announced the appointment of Isobel Mackenzie as Canada’s very first seniors advocate. As the voice of seniors in BC, Ms. Mackenzie has the broad mandate to
monitor and review system-wide issues affecting the well-being of seniors and raise awareness about resources available to them. The BC seniors advocate will also make recommendations to government and to those who deliver seniors services related to health care, personal care, housing, transportation and income support.
In the NWT a seniors advocate could work in concert with the NWT Seniors’ Society. It could help them expand our services to our growing older population. The seniors advocate could perform any or all of the following duties:
First, advocacy, such as identifying gaps in our services, providing policy advice to government about services for seniors and proposing legislative changes.
Second, provide information and advice to government and to seniors. This could build on the good work that the NWT Seniors’ Society does now, things like providing resources, ensuring the flow of information to and from seniors and advocating for seniors issues.
Third, they could receive and refer concerns and complaints. This is especially needed in regards to elder abuse and health care services.
Fourth, improve public awareness and communication. Awareness and promotion of the role of a seniors advocate, coordination of education about seniors and seniors’ issues and respond to inquiries from the public.
Lastly, collaborate and engage with seniors and other groups. The advocate can work with voluntary and community advocacy groups to help identify key issues of concern to seniors, seek out the opinions and priorities of seniors and ensure that their views are heard and understood.
All of these concepts should be explored by the GNWT for value. This is an opportunity for the GNWT to meet head on the challenge of responding to the aging of the NWT population. By providing assistance to our elders, we can promote healthy and productive aging and create a society in which older people’s voices are heard and respected.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted