A Burnaby seniors’ task force is welcoming Isobel Mackenzie to her new post as B.C.’s first seniors’ advocate.
The provincial government announced Mackenzie’s appointment Wednesday, and Voices of Burnaby Seniors, a local not-for-profit task force, was pleased with the appointment.
“We’re very happy they’ve appointed someone, and the person they’ve appointed seems to have a lot of experience working with seniors. So we are looking forward to meeting with her and seeing what her ideas are for the future,” said Elsie Dean, a member of Voices of Burnaby Seniors.
The seniors’ advocate position was created following a B.C. Ombusdperson’s report from two years ago, which made more than 170 recommendations to better help B.C.’s seniors.
Dean would like to meet with Mackenzie to discuss issues facing Burnaby seniors, including lack of affordable housing and adequate funding for programs that help seniors, especially when it comes to health.
“There’s (no) appreciation of how much money that’s saving the health system,” Dean said.
Mackenzie is now head of the newly formed Office of the Seniors Advocate, set up to make systemic improvements to seniors’ care and services.
According to the Seniors Advocate Act, Mackenzie must report to government “in an independent manner” at least once a year, and she can make recommendations regarding systemic “challenges” seniors face.
According to a provincial government press release, Mackenzie has nearly two decades of experience working with seniors’ issues and is a board director with the B.C. Care Providers’ Association.
