Interested in learning more about the province’s new seniors advocate?
Members of the public can do just that at an upcoming meeting in Burnaby.
Seniors’ advocate Isobel Mackenzie will be in town next month at the behest of CARP, a seniors’ advocacy group.
“(CARP members) would be very interested in knowing what the seniors’ advocate’s role is and what she is doing and what she can do for them,” said Bruce Bird, chair of the North Fraser chapter of CARP, a national, non-partisan seniors’ advocacy group.
The event is on Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Scandinavian Community Centre, at 6540 Thomas St. The meeting is open to the general public – not just CARP members – and attendees will have a chance to learn about Mackenzie’s work and ask questions about seniors’ issues.
Mackenzie was appointed to her role in spring 2014. Her job is to identify systemic problems facing seniors, while recommending ways the government can better help them.
“The advocate can certainly help (people) to understand more of the services that are available to seniors and how to access them. Most seniors aren’t aware of what services are available to them and certainly not how to access them,” Bird said.
The North Fraser chapter of CARP covers nine communities, including Burnaby and New Westminster, and has roughly 1,600 members.
The Feb. 19 meeting is open to the general public, but people must register. Anyone interested in attending is asked to register early, as the event may fill to capacity. Register by emailing carpnorthfraserchapter@gmail.com or call 604-945-5005.
Mackenzie is also hosting a series of town hall meetings across the province. For more information on that, visit www.seniors
advocatebc.ca.
