June 15, 2017
PGT Marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2017
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Everyone has a role to play in preventing elder abuse. Today, the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) joins organizations across British Columbia and around the world in marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) to raise awareness around the abuse and neglect of older adults.
World Elder Abuse Day was established by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and proclaimed by the United Nations in 2006. The theme “My World, Your World, Our World Free of Elder Abuse” was designed to highlight the need for people from everywhere to come together to understand what elder abuse is and how it can be prevented.
For more information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, see A Visionary Message from the Founder of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks.
For information about how to respond to adult abuse or neglect, please visit the PGT website page For information about how to respond to adult abuse or neglect, please visit the PGT website page
Helping a Vulnerable Adult Get Support.
May 1, 2017
PGT implements new trust accounting system
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today implemented a new trust accounting system to ensure it can provide more timely and comprehensive financial information to clients and stakeholders. The new system will also assist the PGT in meeting an increasing demand for PGT services by providing modern accounting technology. Please note that the PGT’s ability to respond to requests may be slightly delayed as the PGT transitions to the new system and as such, the PGT asks for your understanding and patience. Please contact the PGT with any questions at mail@trustee.bc.ca.
April 19, 2017
Provincial Election Voting - May 9, 2017
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - TheBC 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 six months immediately prior to election day and be registered as a voter. Please review the
attached for more information.
March 31, 2017
Public Guardian and Trustee partners with Adoptive Families Association of BC to create a youth friendly financial literacy learning tool
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Committed to improving the financial literacy of youth in and transitioning out of care, the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has partnered with the Adoptive Families Association of BC (AFABC) to create the Money Sense Quest, an online financial literacy tool that provides knowledge and skills that will assist learners in making responsible financial decisions. Click
here to view the full media release.
December 7, 2016
PGT releases Child and Youth Guardianship Services 2015-2016 Report?
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its eighth annual Child and Youth Guardianship Services report. The report focuses on property guardian services delivered by the PGT between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016 to children and youth who are in the continuing care of the province. Click
here to view the full report and
here to view the media release.
November 14, 2016
PGT supports Financial Literacy Month
VANCOUVER - November is Financial Literacy Month and the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) is committed to sharing knowledge, materials and training to improve the financial literacy of vulnerable British Columbians. Click
here to view the full media release.
October 26, 2016
PGT releases 2015-2016 Annual Report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its 2015-2016 Annual Report. The report highlights major PGT accomplishments, addresses societal trends and other factors that affect the work of the PGT and provides a comprehensive audited performance report and financial statements. Click
here to view the full report and
here to view the media release.
June 15, 2016
PGT recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Everyone has a role to play in preventing elder abuse. On June 15, 2016, the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) will join organizations across British Columbia and around the world in marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) to raise awareness around the abuse and neglect of elders. Click
here to view the full media release.
April 4, 2016
PGT wins WellnessFits award
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has been recognized as one of the best and brightest in workplace health after taking home a top award at the Canadian Cancer Society’s recent WellnessFits Extra Mile Awards night. Click
here to view the media
.
December 10, 2015
PGT releases Child and Youth Guardianship Services 2014-2015 Report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its seventh annual Child and Youth Guardianship Services report. The report focuses on property guardian services delivered by the PGT between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015 to children and youth who are in the continuing care of the province. Click
here to view the full report and
here to view the media release.
October 29, 2015
PGT releases 2014-2015 Annual Report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its 2014-2015 annual report. The report highlights significant organizational achievements and provides a comprehensive audited performance report and audited financial statements. Click
here to view the full report and
here to view the media release.
October 15, 2015
Rights of Adults under Committeeship to Vote.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Being declared incapable is not a disqualification under the Canada Elections Act. All Canadian citizens are entitled to vote regardless of their mental capacity. Committees do not have the authority to vote on an adult’s behalf. Click here for
"A Message to Clients and Their Families".
June 15, 2015
PGT recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) is pleased to recognize the 10th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2015. Click
here to view the full media release.
May 11, 2015
Public Guardian and Trustee Statement regarding the Children’s Forum
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has a role with respect to children and youth under a number of provincial laws including acting as property guardian. As property guardian, the PGT protects the legal and financial interests of children and youth in continuing care of the province as well as children who have no legal guardian or are undergoing adoption.
The PGT, as property guardian, is coguardian with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Delegated Aboriginal Child and Family Service Agencies (DAAs) which are personal guardians of the same children and youth.
The PGT is an original member of the Children’s Forum, a voluntary information sharing forum for BC senior officials with an interest in child protection and related services. The Representative for Children and Youth has advised that she will no longer be chairing the Children’s Forum and MCFD has agreed to assume responsibility for chairing the Forum.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with MCFD in developing proposals that will enhance the value of the Children’s Forum” said Catherine Romanko, Public Guardian and Trustee. “Any changes must continue to respect the differing statutory responsibilities of the members to avoid conflict of interest in acting on behalf of individual children and youth.
”As property guardian, the PGT has a fiduciary duty to advance the private interests of its clients and I am committed to creating the potential for a positive future for these young people, many of whom have experienced significant life challenges and difficulties.”
PGT duties as property guardian include advancing legal claims for damages arising from injuries suffered by the children, including critical injuries reported by MCFD. It also pursues financial benefits to which PGT property guardian clients may be entitled such as Canada Pension Plan Children’s Benefits and Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs). PGT authority as property guardian ends with death of the child.
During 2014/15, the PGT was property guardian for 5,383 children and youth in care. At March 31, 2015, the PGT was administering more than $5 million held in 650 RDSPs for eligible property guardian clients. The PGT also reviewed 473 critical incident reports and advanced legal action where appropriate on behalf of these child and youth clients.
Further information on PGT property guardianship services is available in a report issued annually by the PGT. The most recent report is available
here on the PGT website.
April 10, 2015
PGT releases Child and Youth Guardianship Services 2013-2014 Report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its sixth annual Child and Youth Guardianship Services report. The report focuses on property guardian services delivered by the PGT between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 to children and youth who are in the continuing care of the province. Click
here to view the full report.
April 1, 2015
Make a Will Week
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - British Columbia has identified April 6 to 12, 2015 as Make a Will Week. Click
here for more information.
December 1, 2014
Adult Guardianship Act (AGA) amendments came into effect December 1, 2014
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Changes to the
Adult Guardianship Act relating to the certificate of incapability process came into force on December 1, 2014. A certificate of incapability is issued through an out-of-court process following an assessment by a qualified health care provider resulting in the Public Guardian and Trustee becoming responsible for the financial affairs of an incapable adult (also called statutory property guardianship). The changes to the AGA include improvements to the notification, reassessment and appeal provisions for adults being assessed for a certificate of incapability. The changes also create a new duty for committees to foster the adult’s independence and involvement in decision making. Related new regulations concerning procedures for conducting incapability assessments are also in force. Website content and PGT publications (available through our Reports and Publications page) have been updated to reflect the new requirements. For more information about AGA, see the Ministry of Justice
news release.
October 27, 2014
PGT releases 2013-2014 Annual Report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its 2013-2014 annual report. The report highlights significant organizational achievements and provides a comprehensive audited performance report and financial statements and reports of related independent audits. Click
here to view the full report.
September 15, 2014
Nidus launches new registry
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) supports the Nidus Personal Planning Registry, which allows for the storage of personal details and documents related to personal planning, end of life wishes and memorial arrangements in one convenient, centralized location. For more information, click
here.
August 1, 2014
PGT fees and commissions have been updated effective August 1, 2014
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The
Public Guardian and Trustee Fees Regulation has been amended effective August 1, 2014. For more information, click
here.
June 19, 2014
PGT releases Child and Youth Guardianship Services 2012/2013 Report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its fifth annual Child and Youth Guardianship Services report. Click here to view the full report and
here to view the full media release.
June 12, 2014
PGT acknowledges World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) is pleased to recognize June 15, 2014 as the 9th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Click here to view the full media release.
June 3, 2014
PGT celebrates BC Child & Youth in Care Week
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) is pleased to recognize June 2-8, 2014 as the BC Child & Youth in Care Week. For more information about BC Child & Youth in Care Week, see the Ministry of Children and Family Development website.
March 31, 2014
The
Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) came into effect March 31, 2014.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - This new legislation replaces seven outdated acts and modernizes current BC laws regarding estate administration and successor rights Website content and PGT publications (available through our Reports and Publications page) have been updated to reflect the new requirements. For more information about WESA, see the Ministry of Justice
news release and
website, along with the Make a Will Week
poster and
website.
October 16, 2013
PGT releases 2012-13 Annual Report
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) today released its annual report for the 2012-13 fiscal period. The 2012-13 Annual Report highlights significant organizational achievements and provides a comprehensive audited performance report and financial statements. Click
here to view the full report.
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