WHEREAS the creation of the Office of the Seniors Advocate through the introduction of Bill 10 2013, Seniors Advocate Act, was a correct and commendable course of action by the provincial government in response to supporting seniors; AND WHEREAS parts of the spectrum of seniors services, including housing, transportation and income support, are not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, which the Act has defined as the ministry to which the Office of the Seniors Advocate will report: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM respectfully request that the provincial government amend the Seniors Advocate Act to identify the Office of the Seniors Advocate as an independent office of the Legislature, reporting to the Members of the Legislative Assembly, rather than to the Minister of Health.
Ministry of Health Input received through the Seniors Advocate consultations in May-July 2012 was used to inform the development of the Seniors Advocate Act the Act. The Act was introduced in February 2013 and received Royal Assent on March 14, 2013. The new legislation outlines the mandate, accountabilities and authority of the Seniors Advocate and paves the way for the creation of the Office of the Seniors Advocate the first of its kind in Canada. Once appointed, the Seniors Advocate will be a statutory officer much like the Provincial Health Officer and Auditor General for Local Government who will serve as independent advisor to the minister responsible for seniors currently, the Minister of Health and will work to promote positive systemic change that benefits seniors in British Columbia. The Advocate will have a broad mandate that includes monitoring seniors services generally; promoting awareness; working collaboratively with seniors, policymakers, service providers and others to identify solutions to systemic issues; and making recommendations to government to improve the welfare of seniors. As the voice for seniors, the Advocate will also monitor and advise on a range of seniors services related to health care, personal care, housing, transportation and income support topics that reflect what was heard during the consultation process last year. Collaboration and cooperation will be the preferred approach to resolving issues, but where stronger tools are needed to fulfill the mandate, the Advocate will have the power to require information from prescribed providers of seniors services. To enhance the autonomy of the office, the Advocate will be able to appoint a council of advisors, identify hisher work priorities and plans, make independent recommendations to government, and hire hisher own employees and outside experts. This model strikes a balance between the independence needed to objectively review government policies, and the ability to effect meaningful systemic change two priorities identified by the public and stakeholder groups during the consultation process.