There is optimism at the Zoomers advocacy group CARP with the appointment of Seamus O’Regan as the new federal seniors minister.

As part of Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle Wednesday, O’Regan was given the extra portfolio in addition to his ongoing position as labour minister.

Bill VanGorder is chief operating and chief policy officer at CARP and told The Morning Zoom with Sam and Jane, O’Regan has been supportive of CARP in the past.

“He has a very good relationship with our CARP chapter in Newfoundland and knows them well, so better than the previous minister of seniors (Kamal Khera) who didn’t have much contact at all. At least we know he’s got the background,” VanGorder explained.

VanGorder is also feeling confident he will soon be able to have a meeting with Minister O’Regan to talk about issues important to CARP members.

“We’re going to be pushing for health reform, especially in homecare. Homecare is still being ignored. We hear about governments at all levels building more long term care spaces and that’s very good. We need them but the real answer is better homecare.”

And interestingly, VanGorder says all 3 of the main parties have reached out to CARP to find out the priority issues of CARP members, which he says leads him to believe a federal election may happen sooner rather than later.

Read more about Seamus O’Regan’s new role and CARP’s reaction to it, by going to everythingzoomer.com.