The Honourable Derek Bennett, Speaker of the House of Assembly, welcomes Susan Walsh to the position of Seniors’ Advocate. The appointment, effective today, was confirmed by resolution of the House of Assembly on May 19, 2022 as per Section 4 of the Seniors’ Advocate Act.
The Office of the Seniors’ Advocate is an independent office of the House of Assembly with the authority to identify, review and analyze systemic issues related to seniors and make recommendations respecting changes to improve seniors’ services. The Office can be reached at 1-833-729-6603 or SeniorsAdvocate@SeniorsAdvocateNL.ca.
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“I extend my congratulations to Susan Walsh on her appointment as the Seniors’ Advocate of Newfoundland and Labrador and wish her success in this role. Her varied experience within the public service and with work respecting seniors’ issues will no doubt be an asset to that office. I also extend my appreciation to the former advocate, Dr. Suzanne Brake, for her contributions during the time she served in that role, and wish her well in her retirement.”
Honourable Derek Bennett, Speaker of the House of Assembly
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Learn more
Office of the Seniors’ Advocate website
Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy and Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-729-1178
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca
Backgrounder
Susan Walsh, BSW, MSW, RSW
Susan began her career with the Newfoundland and Labrador public service in 1991 as a social worker in mental health services at the Waterford Hospital working with seniors, people with disabilities and the community. She progressed through social worker, frontline management, policy analysis, program development, project management, director/senior management and executive positions. She held these progressive leadership roles within the former Department of Social Services, Eastern Regional Health Authority, Department of Health and Community Services, former Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, Cabinet Secretariat, Core Mandate Office of Executive Council, the Labour Relations Agency and Municipal Affairs.
Susan’s most recent role, prior to her appointment as the Seniors’ Advocate, was Deputy Minister of the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, a position she held since January 2019.
She is a registered social worker with the NL College of Social Workers. She holds a Master of Social Work degree, specializing in policy and administration, from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Memorial University.