Fredericton – David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick and MLA for Fredericton South, wants seniors to have the opportunity to shape the mandate of the new seniors’ advocate.

“Since the legislation did not provide a mandate for this new role of the Child and Youth Advocate, the Legislative Assembly should ask seniors what they think,” said Coon.

Coon wants to see the Standing Committee on Social Policy hold public hearings to receive input from seniors.

On December 16th, 2016, the Child and Youth Advocate Act was amended to extend the Child and Youth Advocate’s responsibilities to seniors, as well as to adults under protection, without specifying his exact mandate. Norm Bossé, the now re-named Child, Youth and Seniors Advocate, is an officer of the Legislature, accountable to the public through the Legislative Assembly.

“Since the amended legislation doesn’t provide any direction to Mr. Bossé, the Legislative Assembly should seek input from seniors to help him develop his new mandate. The obvious place to do this is through the social policy committee,” said Coon.