OTTAWA -- Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says she will set up a new advisory group to tackle issues related to dementia.

Petitpas Taylor says the board will help the government's efforts to develop a national dementia strategy.

The board will be co-chaired by Dr. William E. Reichman of the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation and Pauline Tardif, the CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

The minister is attending a meeting of health-care professionals, caregivers, researchers and people with dementia at The National Dementia Conference today.

The government launched a national dementia strategy last June with new legislation -- Bill C-22.

Petitpas Taylor says she hopes the advisory board will report back to her next spring.