July 16, 2013
PGT releases 2011-12 Child and Youth Guardianship Services Report
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its fourth annual Child and Youth Guardianship report. The report focuses on guardian of estate services delivered by the PGT between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 to children and youth who are in continuing care in British Columbia. Click here to view the full media release.
June 14, 2013
PGT celebrates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) is pleased to recognize June 15, 2013 as the 8th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Click here to view the full media release.
May 9, 2013
Provincial Election Voting - May 14, 2013
VANCOUVER - The BC Election Act provides that in order to vote in a provincial election an individual must be a Canadian citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately prior to election day and be registered as a voter. Please review the attached for more information.
March 28, 2013
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Implementation
VANCOUVER - Fees and commissions charged by the Public Guardian and Trustee are subject to a 12% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) until March 31, 2013. Effective April 1, 2013, PGT fees are subject to the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Please review the attached for an indication of how this will apply.
March 27, 2013
Public Guardian and Trustee Celebrates 50th Anniversary
VANCOUVER - Today, the Public Guardian and Trustee celebrates the 50th anniversary of the creation of its office. On March 27, 1963, the Public Trustee Act came into force, creating a single office for the roles of Official Guardian, Official Administrator and Official Committee. In 2000, the government introduced the Public Guardian and Trustee Act, which created the current Public Guardian and Trustee. Over the past five decades, the Public Guardian and Trustee has upheld its mission of safeguarding the legal and financial interests of children; managing the legal, financial and personal care interests of adults needing assistance in decision making; and administering the estates of deceased and missing persons. Click here to view the full media release.
March 26, 2013
PGT comments on Representative for Children and Youth audit findings
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee, Catherine Romanko, has issued a statement in response to the Representative For Children and Youth report about the Ministry of Children and Family Development entitled "Much More than Paperwork – Proper Planning Essential to Better Lives for B.C.'s Children in Care – A Representative's Audit on Plans of Care". "After reviewing the Representative's report, I am concerned by the audit findings to the extent that they may impact the interests of our child and youth clients in continuing care," said Ms. Romanko. "I have spoken to the Representative and support the intent behind her recommendation directed at the Public Guardian & Trustee." Through its Child and Youth Services division, the PGT currently acts as property guardian for 4,949 BC children and youth. Most are in continuing care of the province. Click here to read the full media release.
March 18, 2013
VANCOUVER - The Family Law Act (FLA) came into effect March 18, 2013, replacing the Family Relations Act. This new legislation has impacted many aspects of PGT work and these are reflected in our information materials. The PGT has changed the content of this website and our publications which are available through our Reports and Publications page. As of today, all website content and publications have been updated to reflect requirements of the new legislation. The FLA places the safety and best interests of the child first when families are going through separation and divorce. It also clarifies parental responsibilities and the division of assets if relationships break down, addresses family violence and encourages families to resolve their disputes out of court.
February 6, 2013
VANCOUVER -The Public Guardian and Trustee has responded to the Ombudsperson’s report entitled “No Longer Your Decision: British Columbia’s Process for Appointing the Public Guardian and Trustee to Manage the Financial Affairs of Incapable Adults”. To see the response, please click here.
November 8, 2012
2011-2012 Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Annual Report Released
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee's 2011-2012 Annual Report is now available.The report highlights significant achievements and includes a comprehensive audited performance report and financial statements for 2011-2012.
March 30, 2012
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee releases 2010/2011 report on child and youth guardianship services. The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia today released the Child and Youth Guardianship Services Report 2010/2011, which describes its work on behalf of children in continuing care, including details of critical incident reports and describes key actions for improvements to guardianship services. Click here to view the news release and Click here to access the full report.
November 24, 2011
VANCOUVER - November is Financial Literacy Month and the Public Guardian and Trustee is proud to contribute, in partnership with other organizations, to the creation of a Financial Literacy Handbook for Aboriginal youth. The Handbook is designed to assist service providers, parents, guardians and youth in preparing for adulthood and the related responsibilities that come with managing money. For more helpful information on financial literacy information review “Dollars & Sense” a publication created by the PGT for youth and young adults. Click here to be directed to the Handbook.
November 3, 2011
2010-2011 Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Annual Report Released
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee's 2010-2011 Annual Report is now available. The report highlights significant achievements and includes a comprehensive audited performance report and financial statements for 2010-2011.
October 12, 2011
VANCOUVER - The appointment of Catherine Romanko as Public Guardian and Trustee, effective October 10th 2011, has been announced. Please follow the link to the news release from the Ministry of Attorney General for more information.
September 1, 2011
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia is pleased to note that amended legislation has come into effect to provide British Columbians with improved options for planning for future incapacity, together with stronger legal safeguards for ensuring that one’s wishes are carried out when one is no longer able to provide direction. Click here for further information.
July 22, 2011
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia (PGT) is pleased to release 2020 Vision: Serving British Columbians Over the Next Decade, a vision statement document which provides a general direction for the future of the office, with ideas of where the PGT may want to move towards to continue the work we are currently doing and to build on our current accomplishments. You can read it by clicking here.
July 13, 2011
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia (PGT) is urgently seeking to contact people who were resident at Woodlands School in New Westminster, BC on or after Aug. 1, 1974 and who may not be aware of an upcoming class action deadline that affects them. Click here to view the news release.
June 15, 2011
VANCOUVER - On June 21st, the Public Guardian and Trustee is helping to put the spotlight on financial abuse at an upcoming conference which will bring together service providers, agencies, police, community responders and financial institution representatives. Registration is still open. Click here for further information or to register.
April 14, 2011
VANCOUVER -Adults under committeeship are eligible to vote in the federal election on May 2, 2011. In the past, adults under committeeship under the Patients Property Act were not entitled to vote in federal elections. This changed in 1993 when changes were made to the Canada Elections Act. Adults with a committee can vote if they choose; committees do not have the authority to vote on an adult's behalf.
April 8, 2011
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee releases 2009/2010 report on child and youth guardianship services. The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia today released the Child and Youth Guardianship Services Report 2009/2010, which describes its work on behalf of children in continuing care, including details of critical incident reports and offers key recommendations for improvements to BC child protection and guardianship systems. Click here to view the news release and Click here to access the full report.
February 4, 2011
Incapacity Planning Reforms to be Proclaimed Sept. 1, 2011
VANCOUVER - On Feb. 4, 2011, the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Health announced that parts of the British Columbia Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act, 2007 will be brought into force Sept. 1, 2011.
January 5, 2011
2009-2010 Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Annual Report Released
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee's 2009-2010 Annual Report is now available. The report highlights significant achievements and includes a comprehensive audited performance report and financial statements for 2009-2010.
June 30, 2010
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Implementation
VANCOUVER –Effective July 1 2010, Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Fees are subject to the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Please review the attached for an indication of how this will apply.
PGT services are funded by a combination of fees for services and supplementary funding from the Government of British Columbia . Fees and commissions charged by the PGT are set out in the following regulation:
January 26, 2010
Service During Olympics
VANCOUVER – The Public Guardian and Trustee has announced its hours of service during the Olympic and Paralympics Games. Click here for details: PGT service during the Olympic and Paralympics Games.
November 26, 2009
2008-2009 Annual Report Released
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee's 2008-2009 Annual Report is now available. The report highlights significant achievements and includes a comprehensive audited performance report and financial statements for 2008-2009. We welcome your comments on our annual report. Please take a few minutes to complete and return our Request for Comment form to us at mail@trustee.bc.ca
July 9, 2009
VANCOUVER - The PGT has released a statement responding to some stories aired today on the CBC regarding the PGT’s management of client affairs. Click here to see the statement: Public Guardian and Trustee responds to CBC Media Stories.
June 29, 2009
Public Guardian and Trustee releases first annual report on child and youth guardianship services
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia (PGT) today released the first annual report on its child and youth Guardian of Estate services, which details specific challenges and offers key recommendations for improvements to BC's child protection and guardianship systems.
June 1, 2009
Improvements made to hiring and internal controls
VANCOUVER– The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia announced today that it has significantly improved its internal controls, policies and processes and implemented stronger security practices.
October 9, 2008
2007-2008 Annual Report Released
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee's 2007-2008 Annual Report is now available. The report highlights significant achievements and includes a comprehensive performance report and financial statements for 2007-2008. We welcome your comments on our annual report. Please take a few minutes to complete and return our Request for Comment form.
June 12, 2008
Vancouver – The third annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is being recognized on June 15, 2008 by the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC in support of the Proclamation issued by the provincial Cabinet. press release, backgrounder.
November 8, 2007
2006-2007 Annual Report Released
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee's 2006-2007 Annual Report is now available. The report highlights significant achievements and includes a comprehensive performance report and financial statements for 2006-2007.
August 20, 2007
Public Guardian and Trustee reports alleged breach of trust by former temporary employee
VANCOUVER - The RCMP has arrested a former temporary employee of the Public Guardian and Trustee on charges of breach of trust. The Public Guardian and Trustee notified the RCMP when it first identified potentially fraudulent activity early this month.
April 19, 2007
Attorney General Introduces Bill to Modernize Adult Guardianship and Personal Planning Legislation
VICTORIA – The Attorney General introduced Bill 29, the Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act, 2007. If passed, this legislation will modernize and update the way adult guardianship is dealt with in British Columbia. Read the Attorney General’s press release. An earlier version of this legislation, Bill 32, was introduced in April 2006, but it was put on hold after concerns were raised about the part of the bill dealing with instructional advance directives for health care.
September 30, 2006
2005-2006 Annual Report Released
VANCOUVER - The Public Guardian and Trustee's 2005-2006 Annual Report is now available. It highlights significant achievements and includes a comprehensive performance report and financial statements for 2005-2006.
June 30, 2006
Public Guardian and Trustee Fees Reflecting the Reduction of Goods and Services Tax to 6%
VANCOUVER - As of July 1, 2006, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be reduced to 6%. Please click here to view our updated fee schedule.
April 27, 2006
Attorney General Introduces New Court and Statutory Guardianship Law and Changes to Personal Planning Laws
VICTORIA - The Attorney General introduced Bill 32, the Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act , 2006. Read the Attorney General's press release and backgrounder. If the Bill is passed PGT publications will be updated. In the meantime read existing publications in the context of the bill.
