Residents at Okotoks' Sandstone Lodge were treated to tea, baked goods, and a visit from the Minister of Seniors and Housing on Wednesday.

The Honourable Lori Sigurdson was at the lodge to have tea, coffee, and a chat with the seniors she serves.

She says traveling around the province meeting the wiser generation is a huge part of her job.

"One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is that I get to go out into the community and talk directly with seniors, hear about how they're doing, and just check in with them. One thing that's really cool about seniors is they are really happy to share with me, this is just one of the lodges that we have all across the province that allow them to age in their communities, close to their family and friends where they want to be."

Sigurdson shares she spoke with residents about everything from government processes, transitioning into seniors housing, to tea and tea cups.

She says it's important she have those conversations one on one with seniors in Alberta.

"Knowing first hand instead of just having some staff from the ministry is important, it's so important to me as the Minister to really understand. There's a different level of understanding when you're actually with people themselves and hearing directly from them, so it's my pleasure."

Sigurdson says she's grateful for the opportunity to reach out to the Okotoks seniors community.

"I want to thank Sandstone Lodge for welcoming me today, and giving me the opportunity to meet the seniors, and just thank them for their service. It's so important we treat seniors with respect, they built this province and they deserve to retire in dignity."

She adds the NDP recently made an $1.2 billion investment in affordable housing capital, with 40 projects now on the go.

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