Liberals, NDP support establishment of seniors’ advocate

Posted: 5:08 PM CDT Monday, Sep. 25, 2023

Manitoba Liberals and New Democrats have each pledged that if they win the Oct. 3 election, they will establish a legislated, independent seniors’ advocate within 180 days of forming government.

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Manitoba Liberals and New Democrats have each pledged that if they win the Oct. 3 election, they will establish a legislated, independent seniors’ advocate within 180 days of forming government.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2023 (755 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Liberals and New Democrats have each pledged that if they win the Oct. 3 election, they will establish a legislated, independent seniors’ advocate within 180 days of forming government.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons-Manitoba and other community groups canvassed the main party leaders seeking their commitment to establish a seniors’ advocate office.

Liberal Party Leader Dougald Lamont and NDP Leader Wab Kinew signed on to the pledge. Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson was the lone holdout.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
CARP-Manitoba president Carmen Nedohin said the advocacy group was pleased to see the Liberals and NDP support their calls for an advocate. — MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

CARP-Manitoba president Carmen Nedohin said the advocacy group was pleased to see the Liberals and NDP support their calls for an advocate.

CARP-Manitoba, the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg and other groups have called for the next provincial government to create a seniors’ advocate position comparable to the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth. It would report to the Manitoba legislative assembly and focus on issues related to long-term care, health care, aging in place, transportation and social services.

CARP-Manitoba president Carmen Nedohin said the advocacy group was pleased to see Lamont and Kinew support their calls for an advocate.

“Sadly, we did not get Heather Stefanson or anyone from the (Progressive Conservatives) to come in and sign the pledge,” Nedohin said.

The current Manitoba government previously announced the disbanding of the Protection for Persons in Care Office and the creation of a new, independent investigation office that will report to the legislature.

The changes followed an investigation by the auditor general which found the office responsible for protecting vulnerable people in care had dismissed allegations of sexual assault and physical and verbal abuse at personal-care homes as “unfounded,” saying they didn’t meet its definition of abuse.

Nedohin said the province needs to do more for seniors and needs to widen its scope beyond the needs of people who are in long-term care.

“It doesn’t talk about issues relating to seniors, both living in care and aging in place,” Nedohin said. “There’s a lot of challenges there, whether it’s home care, housing, income support or transportation, just to name a few.”

— Staff