OTTAWA –  “I was very glad to see Budget 2011 receive Royal Assent on June 26th,” states Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright. “There a number of measures in the Budget which will help Canadians all across the country, including some to provide some much-needed support for low-income seniors.”

Benoit went on to explain that, as of July 1st, more than 680,000 of Canada's lowest-income seniors will now benefit from the most significant increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in 25 years. 

As of July 1st, low-income seniors will receive a top-up to their GIS. These additional benefits, worth up to $600 per year for single seniors and $840 per year for couples, are an investment totaling more than $300 million per year to more than 680,000 seniors across Canada. With the postal strike over seniors can expect this increase on their July 27th cheques.

“Canada’s seniors built our country, and they deserve our thanks,” Benoit said.  “That’s exactly why our government is taking strong action to support our seniors. In fact, since 2006 we have provided over $2.3 billion in annual tax relief for seniors and pensioners, removed 380,000 seniors from the tax rolls completely, introduced pension income splitting, ushered in an automatic renewal of the GIS, made significant investments in affordable housing for low-income seniors, doubled the pension income credit and now increased the GIS.”

Benoit pointed out that, as pledged in the Speech from the Throne, the government will also combat elder abuse in all its forms and raise awareness of this serious issue. “We have also extended the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, and eliminated the mandatory retirement age for federally-regulated employees, giving seniors who want to remain active in the workforce the freedom to make that choice,” he explained. “And, we're also working to introduce the new Pooled Registered Pension Plan to better help older workers save and build their retirement income.”

“Our government received a strong mandate from Canadians to improve seniors' quality of life,” concluded Benoit. “That is why our government is working hard to ensure that our policies, programs and services continue to provide opportunities for seniors to improve their well-being and quality of life.”