Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover announced the appointment today of Evie Davidson as interim chair of a new provincial Seniors Advisory Council which will serve as a voice to government on seniors issues.
Ms. Davidson is a resident of Tracadie Cross. She is well known for her work as a writer/broadcaster, and particularly for her weekly CBC Radio program Life's Like That.
She contributes widely to Island publications and presents regularly to groups on motivational and other issues. Ms. Davidson is a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, and the mother of seven children.
Minister Dover said she is very confident about the quality of leadership Ms. Davidson will bring to the Seniors Advisory Council. "Evie is a very active senior with a sound understanding of health issues. She is very efficient and committed. I think she will bring a very grass roots approach to this initiative, and this is what I think seniors are looking for," said the Minister.
The establishment of a provincial Seniors Advisory Council is a commitment made earlier by government to enable seniors to have direct input into the policy direction of government.
The Council will advise government on issues of concern to seniors and represent the interests of seniors. It will serve as a direct voice for seniors across the province. The Council will meet with government at least four times a year, and will produce a yearly report. It will also be required to consult directly with seniors. Council members will be appointed in partnership with seniors.
Regarding her new appointment Ms. Davidson said, "I think it is important that government has recognized the need for seniors to have a direct voice to government and has acted upon it. Seniors have special needs and in ten years time, one in every four Canadians will have attained the age of sixty-five. We must all be concerned. As an active senior and breast cancer survivor, I hope I can make a positive contribution to my fellow seniors in this new challenge."
The Council is expected to be in place by the spring of 1998. A steering committee will be established in January to prepare a draft terms of reference for the Council, develop selection criteria and make recommendations for appointment by the Minister. For more information on the Seniors Advisory Council, call 368 6190.