The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) provides a wide range of direct financial management and legal decision making services for vulnerable adults. It acts in a number of different roles including committee of estate, committee of person, attorney appointed by a power of attorney, representative appointed by a representation agreement, litigation guardian and pension trustee. The most common authority is committee of estate for PGT adult clients.
For the majority of PGT adult clients’, the PGT is committee of estate under the Patients Property Act, with responsibility for the legal and financial management of our clients’ affairs. For the remaining clients, the PGT fills other roles either separately or in addition to being committee of estate.
When the PGT is appointed committee of estate, PGT staff work with the client to establish an effective management plan that includes managing property and investments, paying bills, securing assets and pursuing compensation where appropriate.
Involving Clients, Their Families and Caregivers
As committee, the PGT supports and promotes a client’s independence and involves the client where possible in key decision making. The case manager will meet with the client to identify needs, priorities, the level of participation and to develop a management plan. If assets are secure and the adult is able, the PGT will minimize its involvement in day to day decisions such as grocery shopping and entertainment. Many clients still maintain and use their own bank accounts.
The PGT involves the client and impacted family in major financial and legal decisions. The level of involvement will depend on factors such as the client’s wishes, past practices, their ability to understand, the interest and availability of family, the urgency of the situation and confidentiality.
In situations where there are financial decisions that may impact personal or health care decisions, the PGT works collaboratively with the adult and/or others who have legal authority, such as a committee of person or representative, to ensure that decisions the PGT makes are in the best interests of the client.
A client's family and caregivers are encouraged to talk to the case manager and to discuss the client's preferences and concerns so that the PGT can provide the best possible service. Any information that can give the PGT a better understanding of a client's circumstances or family situations, will assist the PGT in providing better service to clients. If there are concerns about how the PGT manages a client's affairs, please discuss it with the case manager. If this does not solve the problem, ask to speak to the regional manager. When there are issues that cannot be resolved, please ask to speak to the Director of Services to Adults.
Client Service Teams
When the PGT is appointed as committee of estate, client service teams work with the adult to establish an effective plan that includes securing assets and pursuing income, benefits and compensation, paying bills, administering investments and managing property. Client service teams are divided into three regions: Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Interior-North; each team includes a regional manager, case managers and staff with financial and legal expertise.
See the PGT Contact Us page for regional contact information to access Client Service Teams and for instructions on how to call toll free.
See the PGT publication When the PGT is Committee for more information on how the PGT is appointed, duties and responsibilities including how assets are managed and decisions are made. See the PGT News and Information page for additional information on legislation, fees, client investments and special projects and the Reports and Publications page for PGT brochures, fact sheets and public reports.
