Taskforce Wants Seniors’ Input

In December of 2006, Justice Minister Murray Scott announced the formation of a Minister’s Task Force on Safer Streets and Communities. The task force representation consists of 25 volunteer community members from across the Province, whose purpose is to consult with Nova Scotians and identify programs and actions that are making a positive impact in communities, and ways government can support communities in their efforts to prevent crime. The material presented to the public from the task force states, “ the end result will be a provincial crime prevention strategy developed through information gathered by the task force.

The task force holds that their mandate is to prepare a report for the Minister of Justice that will:

• identify best practices and promote programs and actions that are making a positive impact in communities in Nova Scotia;

• highlight best practices and legislation being used in other areas of the country and abroad for consideration, and;

• identify ways to support communities which are making efforts to address situations that have a negative effect on their neighbourhoods.

The consultation process involves three approaches - public meetings, written submissions, and facilitated focus groups.

The public meeting for the Counties of Annapolis and Digby was held on February 27, in Cornwallis at the James Horsfall Memorial Hall from 7-9 p.m. The public turnout was very low.

In fact, there were only four people from Annapolis County, which included a member of the RCMP, our Warden, a representative from the Women’s Place, and myself. When the facilitator opened the floor to comments from the community, I took the opportunity to acknowledge the attendance and told the task force members that I did not feel the low turn out meant that the members of our communities did not have concerns. I explained that Annapolis and Digby counties cover very large rural areas and the travel distance would be great for many to attend. I also discussed the fact that there were no seniors present and felt that it being an evening meeting likely played a factor in many decisions not to attend.

Not only did I attend the evening meeting open to the public, I was very pleased to accept an invitation to the afternoon focus group. I was invited by the task force to discuss our Seniors’ Safety Program as it had been recognized as a program that has made a positive impact in our communities. However, like the evening session there were also no seniors present at the afternoon session from our county. At both sessions there were many discussions about youth, but not very many people speaking about seniors and their needs. Because of my position, I know that seniors have many issues and concerns regarding crime and wanted to make sure that the task force heard that our seniors can not be forgotten and their concerns are important. I do believe that our Minister of Justice knows that the safety needs and concerns of our seniors are important.

In May of 2006, Justice Minister Scott announced a new initiative for Springhill - the Seniors’ Safety Initiative - aimed at helping to ensure the safety of seniors in Springhill. In a news release from the Seniors’ Secretariat, Justice Minister Scott was quoted as saying: “The initiative has started in Springhill but it could grow. It is my intention to evaluate it and, based on the evaluation, possibly adopt it for use throughout the province.”

For the Springhill program, the Department of Justice provided $15 000 over a three-month period with the possibility of a funding extension.

This announcement in May of 2006 surprised me. If you have been a resident of Annapolis

County for any length of time, you are likely aware that the Seniors’ Safety Program began in our county in May of 1996, not to mention the fact that it was created here and has been running successfully since that time. On top of that, the Seniors’ Safety Program has been implemented in the counties of Kings, Digby, Hants, Pictou, Antigonish, Queens, areas of Halifax County, and the Province of PEI, based on the Annapolis County model. So, I was disappointed that the valuable information we have in our county, based at that time on 10 years of work, was not sought. But, now we do have an opportunity.

The Minister’s Task Force on Safer Streets and Communities wants to hear from you. So, I’m calling upon the seniors of Annapolis County to let the Minister hear your thoughts and concerns about crime and safety. It is also an opportunity for you to provide the task force with information about our Seniors’ Safety Program, if you would like to do so.

The task force would like to hear from all members of our communities. I would also like to point out that at the public meeting, not only were there no seniors present, but no youth, and no victims of crime to hear from. Your voices need to be heard and you still have a chance.

You can respond on line at www.gov.ns.ca.just">www.gov.ns.ca.just">www.gov.ns.ca.just (Click on Minister’s Task Force) to complete the questionnaire.

Or, you may write to the task force at:

Minister’s Task Force

PO Box 7, 5151 Terminal Road, Halifax NS

B3J 2L6

Fax: (902) 424-6403

Phone: (902) 424-8647

email: sheparci@gov.ns.ca

If you would like more information, please contact Sharon Elliott at 665- 4481. Or, by email at sharon.elliott@rcmp-grc.gc.ca I always look forward to hearing from you.



Sharon Elliott is Seniors’ Safety co-ordinator in Annapolis County.