Hon. Janice Sherry
Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour

Working Toward Improved Quality of Life for Islanders

When you are determined to reach a certain goal, it is important to be aware not only of where you are going, but also of how far you have come.

As Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour , I am incredibly proud of the work our staff has done over the past two years for the benefit of all Islanders. By helping our friends, families and neighbours meet their basic needs and become independent and self-sufficient, we are helping make our One Island Community a better place to live for current residents and for future generations.

We are partnering with the Federal Government and with local builders to create more affordable housing units for families, seniors, people with disabilities and aboriginal people; and we are renovating our existing housing units so they are more appropriate and accessible.

We are examining how we can improve our supports for people with disabilities, after an extensive, community-led review indicated everyone in Prince Edward Island can do more to help people with disabilities enjoy more active, independent lives.

We are strengthening families, protecting children and youth and partnering with a number of community organizations through our revitalized Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention.

Through the distribution of our very popular Prince Edward Island Seniors' Guide, we are helping connect seniors with Government resources, learning opportunities and recreational activities in their community to help them age in a healthy way.

Islanders like you are noticing these improvements - and you are responding. For example, each week, our staff receive thank you cards from seniors who are able to stay in their own homes longer thanks to the Seniors' Home Repair Program, which our Government re-introduced in 2007. As minister, I enjoy hearing your thoughts about new initiatives we are undertaking, and ways that we can better serve you.

As you review our department's full list of accomplishments, I also invite you to read our Strategic Plan for 2009-2011, which is posted on our department website. It is a road map that outlines our department's priorities for the next two years and offers a picture of what we can achieve if we continue to work together.

Hon. Janice Sherry
Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour