The Government of British Columbia has re-appointed Catherine Romanko as public guardian and trustee (PGT) for a second six-year term.

With an extensive background in wills, estates and guardianship law, Romanko has practised law in both the private and public sectors. She is a member and past president of the National Association of Public Trustees and Guardians, a member of the Vancouver wills and trusts and Elder Law sections of the Canadian Bar Association and a regular contributor to continuing legal education programs. Romanko obtained a master of arts degree and a bachelor of laws degree from the University of British Columbia after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.

The PGT’s office was established under provincial legislation in 1963 and today has a mandate to:

• Protect the legal and financial interests of children under the age of 19 years;
• Protect the legal, financial, personal and health-care interests of adults who require assistance in decision making; and
• Administer the estates of deceased and missing persons.

The appointment was effective Oct. 3, 2017. Romanko had been deputy PGT from December 2001, until her initial appointment as PGT on Oct. 10, 2011.

Quick Facts:

• The PGT is a corporation sole established under the Public Guardian and Trustee Act with a unique statutory role to protect the interests of British Columbians who lack legal capacity to protect their own interests.
• During 2016-17, the public guardian and trustee served approximately 26,700 clients and administered approximately $974 million of trust assets.
• For more information, visit: www.trustee.bc.ca