The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced the appointment of nine individuals to the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors. The council provides a mechanism for seniors to have a strong voice in the development of government policy.

"These individuals will provide valuable input to this important advisory council," said Minister Kennedy. "The Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors plays an essential role in providing advice to government as we develop programming and policies to support the independence and well-being of an aging population."

The Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors, which consists of 13 individuals from different regions of the province, was established in 2005 to assist government in preparing for an aging population by ensuring that a seniors' perspective is reflected in policy development and in planning for future service delivery. The council consists of a diverse cross-section of seniors and other individuals who are familiar with seniors' issues.

The new appointments to the council are Damien Collier of Goulds; Don Gillam of Robinson's; Alice Harris of Nain; Cecilia Hickey of Grand-Falls-Windsor; Joan Hutchings of Mobile; Ronald Hynes of St. John's; Doreen Jackman of Grand Bank; Agnes Murphy of Mount Pearl; and Minnie Vallis of Meadows. The re-appointments are Leo Bonnell (chair) of Clarenville; Maggie Chambers of Flower's Cove; Shirley Letto of L'Anse au Clair; and Wayne Penney of Gander. The appointments were effective December 3, 2010.

"The council is made up of people from communities across the province with a broad range of backgrounds, experience and skills," said Minister Kennedy. "I look forward to hearing the input that these active and experienced members of the community have to offer."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework in 2007. The priorities outlined in the policy are: recognition of older persons, celebrating diversity, supportive communities, financial well-being, health and well-being, and employment, education and research. The Office for Aging and Seniors was created to support the steps the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is taking to make healthy aging a provincial priority.

Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future introduced several measures that support healthy aging. For example, the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors' Benefit is a refundable tax credit available to anyone with a family net income of less than $33,884 who is at least 65 years of age or older. In 2010, the maximum amount of the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors Benefit increased from $803 to $900.

Changes to the Home Heating Rebate program made in 2010 also improve the financial situation of many seniors. The income threshold for eligibility for the program increased from $30,000 to $40,000 and the full rebate for heating fuel increased from $200 to $250. In addition, many of the province's seniors benefit from the Provincial Home Repair Program. In 2009 -10, $9.3 million was spent to deliver 2,361 grants of which approximately 70 per cent were approved for low income seniors.

Another initiative that benefits seniors is the 65Plus Plan. This component of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program provides coverage of eligible prescription drugs to residents 65 years of age and older who receive Old Age Security benefits and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's commitment to seniors extends beyond financial measures. For example, the Seniors of Distinction Awards program which celebrates the contributions, achievements, and diversity of older persons throughout Newfoundland and Labrador was launched in January 2009.

Damien Collier, who currently resides in the Goulds, has been involved in the education field for 29 years, first as a teacher and then as a coordinator and program specialist at the school board level. His educational accomplishments include two Bachelor of Arts degrees (one is a specialization in Education), a Bachelor of Science and a Masters degree in Education. He has also been involved in a small business for 13 years. In addition, Mr. Collier has been an executive member of the Friends of Goulds Library for 25 years.

Don Gillam resides in Robinson's and has worked with the Canadian National Railways and also operated a number of small businesses. He has held many leadership positions in the Bay St. George South area. He has been active in the Lions Club and has chaired the Bay St. George South Area Development Association. Mr. Gillam has also been a board member for the Long Range Community Business Development Corporation.

Alice Harris is an elder from the Town of Nain where she raised a family of four and was a stay-at-home mother for most of her life. She is very interested in contributing her voice to the community. She has attended seniors' meetings and gatherings on behalf of the Nunatsiavut Government and has travelled to other coastal communities since being selected to represent her community. Ms. Harris is very well versed in the issues faced by elders and seniors and is eager to represent their concerns.

Cecilia Hickey is a former oncology nurse and an active volunteer who lives in Grand Falls-Windsor. She has 25 years of experience in the health care system in the central region of the province. As a volunteer, she has provided leadership to many organizations and committees working in a variety of areas, including lifelong learning, cervical cancer screening, palliative care and nutrition. Ms. Hickey currently serves on the board of the Exploits Valley 50+ Club and on the committee to make Grand Falls-Windsor an increasingly age-friendly community.

Joan Hutchings currently lives in Mobile and is a member of the O'Connor 50+ Club and Secretary-Treasurer of the Bay Bulls-Bauline Crime Prevention Unit. As a member of this Crime Prevention Unit, she deals with seniors and their issues on a regular basis. Ms. Hutchings feels that because such a large portion of Newfoundland and Labrador's population is 65 or older, the province needs to pay very close attention to issues such as health, home care, social issues and transportation, especially in rural areas.

Ronald P. Hynes, who presently resides in St. John's, has been an educator for 32 years, having worked as a high school teacher, a supervising principal, and a school board coordinator for social studies and school improvement. He received undergraduate degrees in arts and education as well as a Master of Education degree. He has received national awards for innovative geography teachings and leadership in economic education as well as an award in school improvement. Mr. Hynes has volunteered at Hoyles Escasoni and helped to establish a reading program for seniors. He is currently chairperson of the St. Patrick's Mercy Home Planned Giving Committee.

Doreen Jackman, from Milltown, Bay d'Espoir, worked in the public service for over 32 years. Over the span of her career, she worked for Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, and the provincial Department of Government Services. Ms. Jackman obtained a certificate in clerk stenography from the College of the North Atlantic and also studied at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Grand Bank Lions Club, is a member of the Grand Bank Cancer unit and a facilitator for the Grand Bank-Fortune Cancer Support Group. Some of her other volunteer activities include serving on the Grand Bank Public Library board for 20 years and on the Grand Bank Summer Festival Committee for eight years.

Agnes Murphy of Mount Pearl has been an educator for 32 years and is an active community volunteer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and has taught in the province's school system and in the adult basic education program. Ms. Murphy recently served as chairperson of the Mount Pearl Frosty Festival. She volunteers with Beta Sigma Phi (an international women's social, cultural and service organization), the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and the Look Good, Feel Better Program for women living with cancer. In 2007, she was named the Mount Pearl Citizen of the Year.

Maggie Chambers, a community leader and educator, lives in Flower's Cove. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with specialization in primary education, from Memorial University of Newfoundland and worked as a primary and elementary teacher for 30 years, during which time she also led many extra-curricular activities for students. She was the Co-Chair of NORTIP, a Community Business Development Corporation; President of the Flower's Cove Lioness Club; a councillor with the Town of Flowers Cove; a Eucharistic Minister for St. Barnabas Anglican Church; Treasurer of the Straits Development Association; and a member of the Straits - St. Barbe Chamber of Commerce.

Shirley Yvonne Letto was born and raised on Capstan Island, in Labrador, and currently resides in L'Anse au Clair. During the 1960s, Ms. Letto became a teacher and taught in Mary's Harbour and Lanse au Loup. She then became self employed in the tourism industry and currently owns and operates a hotel in L'Anse au Clair with her husband and two sons. Ms. Letto volunteers in many activities in and around her community, some of which involve promoting the area as a tourist destination. From 2005 to 2008, Ms. Letto held a Board of Governors appointment with the College of the North Atlantic, representing Labrador. Ms. Letto is currently involved with the local seniors club.

Wayne Penney of Gander is an educator with specializations in French, linguistics and methodology. He worked as a classroom teacher and later an education consultant with the former Nova Consolidated School District. He developed curricula in the instruction of French and English as second languages and taught and supervised such programs for a variety of educational institutions across the country. In recognition of his outstanding service to the professional development of teachers, Mr. Penney received the Barnes Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association. Mr. Penney also contributed to the development of the community college system in Gander. He has served as municipal councillor with the Town of Gander and on the Board of Directors of the Victorian Order of Nurses, and has held many other volunteer positions.

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