Budget 2013: seniors issues ignored

The NDP is dismayed that in Budget 2013, while Conservatives propose some modest steps, they ignore the real priorities of seniors. With seniors representing the fastest growing segment of our population, one would expect a more serious commitment from this government.

"The Conservatives ignore expert recommendations as well as requests from seniors groups,” said NDP critic for Seniors, Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (Pierrefonds-Dollard). “They are disconnected from reality. If the government is only offering 3 million dollars over 3 years for palliative care, they are ignoring the real needs of Canadians and they simply do not intend to meet these needs.”

A real budget for real people should include investment in Canadians – returning the age of eligibility for OAS to 65, increasing the GIS to raise every Canadian senior out of poverty, expanding the CPP to allow real and reliable options for pension security, providing long-term care for all Canadian veterans, and ensuring adequate funding for affordable housing and health care at every stage of life. It is not surprising that this budget has already been condemned by several national associations of seniors.

“The reality is that addressing the issues that are so vital to seniors and their families would also have reciprocal economic benefits. Again, Conservatives are listening to well-connected insiders and ignoring the priorities of millions of Canadian seniors,” added NDP critic for Pensions, Irene Mathyssen.