Sen. LaBreton Highlights Seniors Wellness Fair

By Teresa Mallam, Free Press

Canada

September 14, 2007


John McKENZIE/Free Press Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris with Senator Marjory LaBreton at the third annual Seniors Wellness and Information Fair Wednesday.

Senator Marjory LeBreton wears her age with pride like a comfy, good quality shoe. That was one of the first things she revealed about herself Wednesday from behind the podium at the Seniors Wellness and Information Fair. 

The annual event hosted by Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris took place at the Prince George Civic Centre. 

LeBreton, federal Secretary of State for seniors, traced her 31 years in politics and talked abut her roles in government, her tenacity in getting things done and her own interest in seniors’ issues. 

“I’m known for speaking up,” she said of her appointment. “Then it was pointed out to me that I was a senior as well,” she added, smiling. “I was born in 1940. So I’m 67 years old.” 

LeBreton seemed happy being part of an elite group. 

“Our senior citizens are the people that built this country and made it the great place it is to live in,” she said, adding today’s seniors are “growing demographics” and living in much different times than our parents. 

Her warm personality shone through when LeBreton urged seniors to come forward, call her “Marjory” and feel free to talk on any issue. 

“I’m going to spend the whole day here talking to people. There are already issues I see around the room that I’m going to deal with...” she said. 

The senator talked about her long standing friendship with colleague Dick Harris. 

It was Harris who invited her to the popular seniors’ event. 

“We go back a long way,” she said, “We formed an alliance on [legislation] over drunk driving.” 

Those changes and her involvement with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) group, came out of her own personal tragedy. 

“My only daughter [Linda Marlene] and my grandchild were killed by a drunk driver in January 1996,” she said. 

Her work and efforts by other politicians and lobby groups eventually brought about changes in the courts. |

“It did result in good legislation, but we still have a way to go,” she said. 
Government is also trying to improve the lives of seniors, LeBreton said, pointing to the promise by Conservatives during the last federal election that seniors would be at the forefront of their agenda. The Ministry for Seniors has set up a seniors council to address issues of concern to seniors. 

Elder abuse is high on the list. 

“We will be working with the provinces and territories on the question of elder abuse and trying to put in place a system where people can access government for help, and we also need to tighten laws on perpetrators,” she said. 

Later, in an interview with the Free Press, LeBreton said she planned on talking with seniors about elder abuse, a subject many seniors don’t want to speak about publicly. 

“It’s one of those issues that’s beneath the surface. People really don’t want to talk about it,’ she said. “We will be consulting with seniors and groups and having round table discussions. Abuse comes in different forms - financial, isolation issues and even physical abuse.” 

From home invasions to identity theft and fraudulent use of credit cards by perpetrators to feed their drug habits, seniors can be hurt, she said. 

“The first step is public awareness and giving seniors hope they can get help and letting them know they can [rely] on the justice system or police if they need help. 

“The other part of that is strengthening the laws in order to properly prosecute the perpetrators.” 

LeBreton said some provinces are already ahead of the federal government in working on the problem of elder abuse. Places have been set up - similar to shelters - where abused seniors can now go to be safe. 

“We want seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible, as long as they want to and are [physically] able to.” 

LeBreton was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Mulroney in June 1993. She served as Chief Opposition Whip and has been a member of the Senate standing committees on Human Rights, on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, on Forestry and Agriculture and others. She’s also been active in health care and mental health issues. 

Prior to her appointment as a Senator, LeBreton served the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in various capacities for more than 31 years. 

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