Since our Conservative government was elected in 2006, we have been committed to the well-being of Canada’s seniors. Canadian seniors have worked hard to build this country, and they deserve our thanks. As the summer begins, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our government’s commitment to stand up for seniors, including the initiatives we have introduced to assist seniors over the last four years.
Important Initiatives
Our government has delivered for seniors in a variety of ways. Some of the most important initiatives include:
- an increase in the General Income Supplement (GIS) exemption for working seniors, from $500 to $3500;
- introducing pension income splitting, saving some senior couples thousands of dollars in taxes;
- increasing the GIS by hundreds of dollars per senior;
- investing $13 million to fight elder abuse;
- expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program by $10 million, and supporting over 1,700 seniors projects across the country through this program; and
- creating a Minister responsible for seniors to represent seniors at the cabinet table.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan
When we launched Canada’s Economic Action Plan in 2009, our government reinforced our commitment to seniors through a series of measures. We increased the Age Credit by $1,000, allowing modest-income seniors to receive additional annual tax savings. We also created the Tax-Free Saving Account (TFSA), giving seniors a place to save, along with more flexible retirement arrangements under defined benefit RRP’s, and an increase in the pension surplus threshold for defined benefit RRP’s to 25% from 10%.
The Economic Action Plan also introduced substantial funding increases for seniors programs, including:
- $60 million over three years to help older workers stay in the workforce through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers;
- $200 million in tax relief for seniors by reducing the required minimum withdrawal amount for 2008 from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25%; and
- $400 million over two years for the construction of housing units for low income seniors through the Affordable Housing Initiative.
Budget 2010 Initiatives
Our government also provided enhanced support for seniors as part of Budget 2010. This legislation will provide an additional $10 million over two years to expand the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This additional funding will support projects which focus on volunteering among seniors and ensuring that today’s seniors can mentor the next generation of volunteers, passing on their valuable skills. It will also support initiatives that will raise awareness of financial abuse of seniors.
“No” to Bill C-428
In June of 2009, Liberal Member of Parliament Ruby Dhalla (Brampton-Springdale) introduced a private member’s bill, C-428. Under current legislation, seniors who wish to receive OAS benefits must meet a ten year residency requirement after the age of 18. Under Ms. Dhalla’s proposed legislation, this requirement would be reduced from ten years to a mere three.
I, along with my Conservative colleagues, have staunchly opposed Ms. Dhalla’s proposed measures since they were first introduced to Parliament. The ten-year requirement period strikes an appropriate balance between an individual’s contribution to Canadian society and the economy and his or her access to a lifelong, publicly funded benefit. This is an onerous requirement. It is entirely reasonable to expect that a person live in Canada for a minimum period of time before being granted the right to a lifelong, public benefit. In addition, Bill C-428 would cost Canadian tax-payers $700 million-once again demonstrating the Liberal Party’s lack of fiscal responsibility.
Our government will continue to oppose Ms. Dhalla’s proposals. We are continuing to work for solutions that will really benefit seniors without an excessive burden on tax-payers.
National Seniors Day
On June 16, Minister of State for Seniors Diane Ablonczy announced that our government is taking steps to create a National Seniors Day, as part of the Celebrating Canada’s Seniors Act. National Seniors Day will be celebrated annually on October 1, in conjunction with the UN’s International Day of Older Persons. This day will be a great chance for all Canadians to celebrate the contribution of Canada’s seniors, who contribute invaluably to the past, present, and future of our nation.
