By Ralph Sultan
Minister of State for Seniors
March 4, 2013

VICTORIA - Our government continues to place a high priority on improving services for seniors. We have followed through on our commitment to establish an Office of the Seniors' Advocate.

This commitment was made in our Seniors Action Plan of February 2012. When this legislation is confirmed by parliament, British Columbia will become the first jurisdiction in Canada to establish a legislated Seniors' Advocate.

Since becoming Minister of State for Seniors, I have travelled throughout the province talking with seniors, their families, caregivers, advocacy societies, and organizations delivering seniors' services. I was frequently told that British Columbians would welcome a Seniors' Advocate.

This was also the consensus of public consultations conducted by my friend, the MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, who listened to more than 500 British Columbians and who received more than 100 letters and emails on the subject.

The new act requires the Seniors' Advocate: to monitor the well-being of seniors in key areas such as health care, personal care, transportation, housing and income support; to analyze difficulties encountered, in order to recommend and advocate for appropriate changes in the policies and procedures, and to encompass both public and private institutions. It is a broad mandate indeed!

This will not be another public complaint office. There are already numerous avenues for resolving individual case situations - beginning with 85 well-funded MLA offices throughout the province. MLAs are duty-bound to listen to constituent concerns, try to address them, and to bring these issues back to Victoria. As well, the government operates a toll-free Seniors Health Care Support Line (1 877 952-3181). Government is not alone in this regard; most public and private institutions have found it important to offer avenues of complaint and concern, and to work hard to resolve them.

The advocate will certainly not be deaf to complaints and concerns, but will use them to identify systemic issues of concern. Legislation requires the advocate to work collaboratively with the various service delivery parties, both public and private, in the promotion of required change.

Some believe contention and headlines are the best way to get things done in government. My own experience is otherwise. In the diverse and complex organizations I have served over the years, collaboration and persuasion are more productive than accusation and finger pointing. However, should stronger tools be needed, the advocate can always fall back on the statutory powers given, to require the production of information, to protect "whistleblowers," and to publicly advocate for systemic change.

The Seniors Advocate will be a statutory officer appointed through Order in Council. There are a number of statutory officers in government, well-respected and valued for the role they play in pursuit of the public interest. The provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, springs to mind as one very influential example. Other examples would include the auditor general for local government, the chief coroner and the comptroller general. These are the role models.
In order to enhance autonomy, the legislation places upon the incumbent the responsibility of identifying his or her own work priorities and issues, independently appointing a council of advisors, hiring employees or advisors of his or her own choosing, and making public recommendations. The advocate will also report annually to government.

I believe the proposed model strikes an appropriate balance between the independence needed to review government policies clearly and without organizational bias, and the co-operation needed to work effectively for change within government and across other sectors impacting the welfare of seniors.

The passage of this legislation will be an exciting moment for seniors, their families, their caregivers, and all British Columbians interested in the welfare of our growing seniors population.

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887