NDP propose seniors representative

By GERRY WARNER
Townsman Staff

A province that has a children's representative should also have an equivalent office for seniors, says Columbia River - Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

"Children are not the only ones who are vulnerable in British Columbia," Macdonald says. "Seniors are also vulnerable and we have the deepest obligation to make sure our seniors are treated with respect and dignity."

The NDP has proposed a Seniors' Representative that would be an independent officer of the legislature. The Seniors' Representative would be patterned after the Representatvie for Children and Youth and the officer would be a powerful advocate for the almost 600,000 people in BC 65 years of age and over.

"I know that people in my area believe we must show respect for our youngest and our eldest. I believe that British Columbians deserve a government that understands that responsibility."

Macdonald says the Liberal government has not been providing an acceptable level of service for children and seniors. Providing such a service should be the government's top priority, he says.

"Right now in British Columbia, we have more children living in poverty than any other province in Canada. British Columbia has had the highest rate of child poverty in Canada for four years and British Columbians find that shameful."

The Province made a move towards improving this situation with the appointment almost a year ago of Children's Representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. But no such move has been made on behalf of seniors, says Macdonald.

"We need to ensure that the services and supports our seniors require are available in all our communities. We need to be sure seniors in care facilities live in a safe and comfortable environment."

But the government's recent flip flop on a request for increased funding for the office of the Children's Representative isn't a good sign for having a similar office established for seniors, he says.

The Finance and Government Services Committee chaired by East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett initially turned down a request by Children's Representative Turpel-Lafond for a 36 per cent funding increase to carry out her duties.

Less than a week later, the committee reversed its decision under criticism by Bennett who called the initial decision "stupid" even though he voted with the government majority.

Macdonald congratulated Bennett for doing the right thing in the end, but said the "mean-spirited and vindictive decision" was only reversed under pressure from the public and the NDP.

"Bennett as following Premier Campbell's orders when he supported the underfunding and now Bennett is following Premier Cambpell's orders to fix the mistake. If this isn't an example of partisan politics, I don't know what is."

The Daily Townsman was unable to reach Bennett for comment on Macdonald's remarks.

A recent study entitled, "Dignity Denied," by the Nation Union of Public and General Employees, said too often quality of care for seniors ends when they are confined in Long Term Care (LTC) Facilities.

"LTC is not included in the Canada Health Act and is not a fully-insured health service in any province or territory," the report says.

And when long term care is available it's often unaffordable in short-staffed facilities where workers caring for the frail elderly are literally run off their feet, says the report.