Manitoba Grits call for better supports for seniors ahead of throne speech

Manitoba's Liberals are calling on the provincial PCs to make better supports for seniors ahead of Monday's throne speech, which will outline the government's agenda for the coming year.

Burrows MLA Cindy Lamoureux and Jon Gerrard, MLA for River Heights, held a community forum Sunday in River Heights to address the issue.

• Manitoba government faces balanced-budget dilemma as legislature session starts

The open house forum, held at the River Heights Community Centre, drew about a dozen people, most of them seniors,to open up dialogue and share ideas about how to best meet seniors needs.

The panelists and attendees talked about ambulance fees, brain health, transportation, home care, and alternatives to personal care homes.

"There has to be more for seniors than just implementing personal care home beds. Not every senior is going to want to live in a personal care home or need to live in a personal care home, but with our baby boomer generation, we do need to consider other avenues," Lamoureux said.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has said Monday's throne speech will focus on restoring the province's finances while also preserving front-line services.