North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney assumes responsibility for seniors’ issues as the NDP’s new Seniors’ Critic.
Blaney will continue in her role as Deputy Critic for Infrastructure and Communities and adds the new portfolio for seniors to her parliamentary and national work.
“I’m very glad to take on this responsibility, working on seniors’ issues, not just in my part of British Columbia but across Canada,” Blaney says. “We face many challenges as a country and none of them is more important than ensuring that every one of our elders lives a life of dignity, with all of their basic needs met by a caring society.”
Blaney has already conducted 11 town hall conversations on seniors’ issues across her riding. Respect and concern for seniors is something that has long been part of Blaney’s life and commitment to community. She says her passion for seniors’ issues has only grown since becoming a Member of Parliament; having seen the very difficult conditions that far too many seniors face.
“We have many seniors who are struggling just to get by, choosing between expensive prescription medications that can be life-saving and basic necessities like food and heat. That’s just not right. Not in Canada. Not anywhere. We need a national strategy for seniors and I will be working around the clock to make sure the government listens and finally delivers on what is so obviously needed,” Blaney says.