"The Department of Health and Social Services is pleased to support this project, which will give Island seniors easy access to information about government and community services," said Health and Social Services Minister Chester Gillan. "I expect it will quickly become an important tool for all Island seniors."

The directory contains a comprehensive listing of federal, provincial and community programs and services for seniors. It also contains information on seniors organizations throughout the province and other information of interest to seniors in Prince Edward Island communities.

"It is important that Island seniors have contact information at their fingertips," said Dr. Bernice Bell, past-chair of the Steering Committee which guides ASHPN-PEI. "We appreciate the assistance from the provincial Department of Health and Social Services and also thank Health Canada for helping us develop this directory."

The Quick Reference Guide was launched at Trinity Church, as part of ASHPN-PEI Regional Roundtable Discussions for Provincial Organizations. The Members of the ASHPN-PEI steering committee include Dr. Bell, as Steering Committee chair and vice-chair of the province's Seniors Advisory Council; Ian MacDonald, chair of the Atlantic Seniors Health Promotion Network; Anna Duffy, president of the PEI Senior Citizens Federation; Eileen Trainor, representative of the Seniors Advisory Committee; Bill MacDonald, president of the Charlottetown Branch of the Federal Superannuates National Association; Priscilla Ykelenstam representing Local 19 of the PEI Union of Public Sector Employees; and Pat Malone, member-at-large.

Minister Gillan congratulated ASHPN-PEI and thanked the people involved in putting the book together. "I want to congratulate Don LeClair for coordinating this project. I know Don put many hours into this book, and I hope he is pleased with the results we see here today," the Minister said. "I also extend thanks to Becky Lee, a summer student with the Department of Health and Social Services, who contributed countless hours and great enthusiasm in the production of this guide." The Prince Edward Island Senior's Quick Reference Guide will be available at Access PEI locations, drug stores, and other financial institutions, seniors clubs and online on the provincial government Web site: www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/Government/GovInfo/Seniors .