October, 2005

Information

Members Appointed To The National Advisory Council On Aging

The new members appointed to the National Advisory Council on Aging by Minister Dosajh are Gilbert Barrette, Robert Dobie, Roberta Morgan, Bhupinder Kaur Dhillon, Verdon Mercer and Mike Sommerville.

Mr. Gilbert Barrette, from La Sarre, Quebec, continues his active career in the education field. As a volunteer, he was president of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Regional Board of Health and Social Services for 16 years. Elected Member of Parliament in 2003-2004, he served on the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Seniors.

Mr. Robert Dobie, from Montreal, Quebec, was an educator for over 30 years. An active community worker, he is also the founder and current president of the Holy Cross Residence, a complex for seniors, and serves on the Board of the Société d'habitation et de développement de Montréal.

Mrs. Roberta Morgan, from Whitehorse, Yukon, worked for the Yukon Housing Corporation and at her own business venture after having raised her family. She is past president of the Yukon Council on Aging, but is still deeply involved with the Council's issues of concern, including crime prevention, elder abuse and seniors' health.

Mrs. Bhupinder Kaur Dhillon, from Burnaby, British Columbia, works for the Vancity Credit Union. She has been a volunteer with organizations as diverse as the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, the Veteran League, the Cancer Society, and Heart and Stroke. Currently, Mrs. Dhillon is on the Board of Directors of the Burnaby Multicultural Society.

Mr. Verdon Mercer, from Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, graduated from Memorial University and had a successful career as a senior high school teacher. Beyond the classroom, he volunteered as guitar teacher, career guidance counsellor, and cultural guide. He continues to provide entertainment at charitable events and in seniors' retirement homes.

Mr. Mike Sommerville, from Toronto, Ontario, has built a solid experience in international financial services, organization and people development, as well as systems development. He currently offers professional management services to small businesses in the Toronto area. At work or as a volunteer, Mr. Sommerville enjoys working with people to arrive at creative solutions.

Minister Dosanjh also reappointed Mohindar Singh and Lloyd Brunes as members of the NACA.

Mr. Mohindar Singh, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, has enjoyed an active career as an educator and a psychologist. He also worked at the community level promoting talent development, conflict resolution, creative problem-solving and heritage language teaching. He has considerable knowledge of seniors' health and communication issues.

Mr. Lloyd Brunes, from Hay River, Northwest Territories, was Superintendent of Public Works for the Town of Hay River until his retirement in 1995. Mr. Brunes is an untiring volunteer with and for the seniors/elders of the community. For example, he served as the NWT representative on the Seniors' Advisory Council and was a member of the Board of Directors of the NWT Seniors Society for four years.

List of NACA members:

• Verdon Mercer, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Reg MacDonald, New Brunswick
• Gilbert Barrette, Quebec
• Robert Dobie, Quebec
• Mike Sommerville, Ontario
• Mohindar Singh, Manitoba
• Helen "Bubs" Coleman, Saskatchewan
• Bhupinder Kaur Dhillon, British Columbia
• Roberta Morgan, Yukon
• Lloyd Brunes, Northwest Territories

(vacancies: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta)