Photo Gallery
Honourable Ida Chong
Minister of Community Services
and Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues

LEGISLATION TO END MANDATORY RETIREMENT

VICTORIA - April 25, 2007 - One British Columbian who will benefit from the Province's move to end mandatory retirement is Margery Loverin, office manager with the Dease Lake branch of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Earlier this year, the provincial Cabinet passed an Order-in-Council granting her a one-year extension in her job.  This allowed her to work past age 65.  Now, thanks to the provincial legislation, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2008, her job is secure and, as she told reporters, "it's changed my life. It's made me proud to continue work after 65." Bill 31 implements a key recommendation of the report, Aging Well in British Columbia, presented to government by the Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues in December 2006. It means people who turn 65 will have the option to keep working. Following the introduction of the legislation, Margery Loverin [centre] met the media with Attorney General Wally Oppal [left], Dr. Patricia Baird, who chaired the Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues and Ida Chong, Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues [far right] . Read the April 25 news release and backgrounder.