Seniors advocate office to open Nov. 1

Manitoba’s seniors advocate will be on the job Nov. 1, a government source said Thursday.

The legislative affairs committee held an in-camera meeting Thursday night to discuss the hiring process for a seniors advocate, Seniors Minister Uzoma Asagwara said.

“It’s something that seniors and families have advocated for years,” the minister said after question period. Establishing the advocate’s office was an NDP election promise.

“Our government is proud to bring that legislation forward and making it a reality,” Asagwara said.

It establishes a seniors advocate who, as an officer of the legislative assembly, is to identify, review and analyze systemic problems or concerns important to seniors, and refer matters to the appropriate body for complaint, inquiry or investigation when warranted.

Legislation to create the Office of the Seniors Advocate was tucked inside the Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act 2024 along with other non-budget items and passed by the NDP majority government in the fall.

While most bills must be referred to a standing committee, where public presentations are allowed, financial bills such as BITSA are referred to the committee of the whole, which is held in the legislative chamber and doesn’t include public presentations.

Asagwara said there will be opportunities for the public to weigh in on the office of the seniors advocate.

“I’m confident that there will be opportunities for the public to share their opinions and make sure that they have a voice in how the seniors advocate comes together,” the minister said.

The Legislative Management Commission on March 10 approved a “DR3” job classification for the position, with compensation comparable to a deputy minister, as per minutes from the meeting. The salary range for a deputy minister is $169,839 to $210,086 per year.

The commission was provided with an overview of the approval process for the advocate appointment, and reminded that representatives of the commission are informed and must approve the recruitment outcome prior to a successful candidate receiving an offer.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca