Backgrounder – Biographies National Seniors Council 

Dr. Olive Bryanton

Olive Bryanton has been appointed as a member of the National Seniors Council for a term of three years, beginning December 15, 2022.

She has been a fervent activist for seniors’ well-being for all of her professional life. Her 2018 PhD dissertation, titled, Pioneers in Aging: Voices of women 85 years and older aging in place in rural communities, shows her passion for defending the best interests of seniors.

She is currently a research assistant in Family Science at the University of Prince Edward Island.

She helped establish:

• a Seniors' Centre in Charlottetown, which was officially opened in January 1993
• a provincial PEI Seniors' Safety Program, together with the RCMP, the Public Trustee, and Consumer Services in 1999
• the Seniors College of Prince Edward Island, affiliated with the University of Prince Edward Island, which opened in 1997. She also served as the college’s first president.

She has:

• a doctorate in Philosophy, Education from the University of Prince Edward Island
• a master’s thesis in Education, from the University of Prince Edward Island

She received:

• the Order of Prince Edward Island in 2020
• the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013
• an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2000.

Nora Spinks

Nora Spinks has been a member of the National Seniors Council since 2018. Ms. Spinks’ term has been extended, and she will serve as Chairperson for the remainder of her term.

For over 30 years, Ms. Spinks has engaged the research community to mobilize and activate knowledge. She is dedicated to individual, family, and community well-being.

She is:

• the CEO of Work-Life Harmony Enterprises, an international research and consulting firm. Her recent projects include building awareness of women’s brain health, facilitating strategic planning in federal government departments and in community-based organizations in health and innovation sectors. 

She has:

• helped develop a variety of federal, provincial, community and workplace programs, focused on employee health and well-being, family care, workplace flexibility and work-life harmony
• created Canada’s first national eldercare resource and referral service, now delivered through workplaces across the country
• led and been a partner on many national projects including Caregiving and Work
• participated in and hosted many roundtables on: 
  
  • older adults and aging
  • older workers
  • family care leaves
  • work and family
• received numerous awards, including the:
  
  • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
  • Canada 125 Award for Exemplary Community Service
  • Workplace Wellness Pioneer of the Year Award
  • Learning Partnership Volunteer of the Year Award