WHEREAS there are no coordinated seniors advocacy services funded by any level of government; AND WHEREAS the seniors population is increasing dramatically at the same time that government funding cutbacks are severely impacting seniors; AND WHEREAS this gap in social policy is leading to potential abuse of seniors, causes unnecessary anxiety to seniors and their families, and places additional stress on municipalities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities support, in principle, the establishment of Regional Seniors Advocacy Offices, as proposed by the Seniors Advocacy Steering Committee, as a means of providing security and protection to seniors by ensuring they have an independent voice to advocate for seniors rights in accordance with federal, provincial and local government legislation; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the provincial and federal governments requesting support for this BC initiative.
