Available Photos

View details and
download

The secretariat will work with government departments and the province’s senior groups. The newly established Seniors Secretariat Steering Committee held their first ever meeting today.

The Seniors’ Secretariat Steering Committee is chaired by Jeanette MacAulay, Deputy Minister, Department of Social Services and Seniors. Members selected to work on this important endeavor include: Winnie MacKay-Fraser (PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation), Ian MacDonald (Seniors United Network), Antoine Richard (former Chair of the Seniors Advisory Council and representative from the Francophone community), Marion Simpson and Stan Warwick (both former members of the Seniors Advisory Council), Dave Riley (Department of Health), Ron MacMillan (Community and Cultural Affairs) and Elaine Noonan (PEI Population Strategy).

The Steering Committee will develop the roles and responsibilities of the Seniors’ Secretariat; develop an accountability and operational framework for the Seniors’ Secretariat; and develop a two-year business plan for the Seniors’ Secretariat. All of this work will occur through partnership with seniors and is expected to be completed by Spring 2006. The secretariat will work with government departments and the province’s senior groups.

“Committee members are expected to bring a wide range of views and experience of the senior community and seniors’ issues. This knowledge will help to ensure that government has the widest possible perspective on issues of importance to Island seniors,” said Minister Gillan.

The core function of the Seniors’ Secretariat will be to support policy initiatives that improve the quality of life of Island seniors, and public education efforts for and about Island seniors.

The Seniors’ Secretariat Steering Committee consists of representatives from various senior organizations and government officials from various departments. The Seniors’ Secretariat will partner with government and community to plan for the future of Island Seniors.

Seniors are the fastest growing population on PEI. In the 2001 census, people age 65 and over represented 13.7 per cent of the Islands population - an increase of 6.3 per cent compared to the 1996 figures, these numbers will only grow in time.