Social Services Committee — Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was established in September of 2014. For 2016-17 the department has a total budget of just over $20 million and a total of 41 full-time employees. The department has dedicated focus and efforts in the areas of seniors, adult protection, wellness, recreation and sport, poverty reduction and the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Seniors, Wellness and Social Development takes a proactive, preventative and integrated approach to living well and living more equitably and inclusively in the province by addressing social and economic factors from the earliest stages of life and across the lifespan. Seniors; with respect to seniors we aim to promote healthy aging across the lifespan and foster a healthy society which honours, listens to, and includes seniors in building stronger, more dynamic communities. We are also committed to protecting adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect. In the area of wellness we provide leadership and focus and progressive measures to help all people in the province adopt healthier habits and more active lifestyles, from birth to seniors' years through initiatives which provide support and reduce barriers to healthy, active living. To further strengthen our work in this area work is now underway on the development of a new wellness plan which will further encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to work to improve their personal health and wellness and that of their communities. We are also focused on reducing, alleviating and preventing poverty and ensuring that every citizen is provided the opportunity to share fully in our society and economy. As was noted in the Budget Speech, our government aims to ensure the impact of the fiscal reality is lessened on the most vulnerable, including low-income seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities. The Budget Speech also highlighted the fact that, as a province, we must foster a support