Jocelyne Lahaye – Seniors Advocate

Struggling Senior Homeowners Encouraged to Consider Property Tax Deferral

BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is urging senior homeowners struggling with the rising costs of living and aging to consider deferring their 2023 property taxes. The BC Property Tax Deferral Program allows homeowners 55+ to defer all or some of their annual property taxes. The Province pays the tax to the local government on behalf …

Statement from BC Seniors Advocate Regarding Retirement in 2024

BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie has advised government that she will retire on March 31, 2024, and to begin the process of finding her successor. “While I could happily continue this richly rewarding work forever, I am aware that I cannot and should not go on indefinitely. With this in mind, I advised the Minister …

Seniors Advocate Visits North West B.C.

BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie will be visiting communities in northern B.C. from May 1 to 5, 2023. Join her to discuss seniors’ issues at town halls in Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert. Seniors, their loved ones and others who live in north-western B.C. are invited to share what is working …

Share Your Ideas: Engagement Opportunities for Seniors

There are several upcoming public engagement opportunities for seniors to provide input and feedback about important issues in British Columbia. Join the OSA Council of Advisors The Office of the Seniors Advocate is seeking new members of its Council of Advisors. Council members represent their regions and provide important feedback to the Seniors Advocate about …

March is Fraud Prevention Month

March is Fraud Prevention Month, and with reported cases of fraud on the rise, all British Columbians are encouraged to increase their awareness of current scams and learn how they can protect themselves and their loved ones. Every year, people of all ages fall victim to fraud. In fact, 57,055 Canadians reported being targeted by …

Income Tax Tips 2023

The deadline to file taxes is quickly approaching. This year’s tax-filing deadline for most individuals is April 30, 2022. However, if you are self-employed or have a spouse or a common-law partner who is self-employed, the deadline is June 15, 2022. Why should I file my taxes? It is vital to file your taxes on …

New Report – Home Support Services for B.C. Seniors

In this new report entitled “We Must Do Better: Home Support Services for B.C. Seniors”, the BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie provides a comprehensive review of the province’s home support services and finds they are in need of fundamental restructuring. This second review demonstrates that the program is not keeping pace with the needs of …

Seniors Advocate Visits the Sunshine Coast

Isobel Mackenzie will visit the Sunshine Coast in February to meet with seniors, seniors organizations, advocates, local government representatives, residential care facilities and others to discuss issues affecting older British Columbians. She will be holding town halls in Sechelt on February 6th and Powell River on February 7th to hear from seniors, their loved ones …

Calling all Volunteers! Give a voice to residents of long-term care

We’re surveying every long-term care resident in B.C. and we need your help. Join our team of volunteer surveyors to interview seniors about their quality of life in long-term care. No experience necessary. Apply now online.

New Report Release – 2022 Monitoring Seniors Services

The 2022 Monitoring Seniors Services report is now available! This year’s report reinforces the need to scale up B.C. seniors’ services to meet the growing demands of the aging population. Read the report to find out how seniors’ services and supports have performed over the last year and find out where seniors’ needs are being …

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