Manitoba Council on Aging

The Manitoba Council on Aging is an advisory body to the Minister of Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs. The Council ensures that a senior's perspective is reflected in government programs and policies that relate to seniors.

The Council is responsible for:

providing the Minister with information and advice about;

• the aging process and its implications for all age groups in Manitoba.
• programs, services, policies and legislation that relate to the aging process and the needs and interests of older Manitobans.
• promoting awareness and understanding of the aging process and its implications for all age groups in Manitoba.

The Advisory Council originally reported through the provincial gerontologist to the Minister of Health. In May of 1994, Council began reporting directly to the Minister of Seniors. The change was made to consolidate activities related to seniors and to reflect the broader range of issues, beyond the health care sector, relevant to seniors in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Council on Aging Act received Royal Assent in June 2005 and provides a legislative foundation for the work of the Council. This legislation ensures that government continues to seek input from Manitoba seniors and that the Manitoba Council on Aging will remain an integral part of government planning and decision making in the future.

The Council is composed of up to fifteen members, including the chairperson and vice-chairperson, appointed by the Minister of Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs. Members are drawn from a cross-section of geographic, ethnic and community-service backgrounds in Manitoba.

The objectives are:

• To provide the Minister of Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs with recommendations on programs, policies or proposals.
• To consult with seniors consistent with the role of advising the Minister on issues.
• To advise the government on how to best accommodate the changing age structure of Manitoba's population in all aspects of government activity.
• To increase public awareness and understanding of the aging process and its implications.