Statement from the NDP on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

NDP Seniors critic Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe) made the following statement on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day:

“After a lifetime of hard work, and with all their contributions to their communities and families, seniors have the right to grow old in comfort and dignity.

“Unfortunately, some seniors are victims of abuse and negligence, sometimes by their close relatives and friends. With the number of seniors in Canada expected to double over the next 25 years, New Democrats understand that Canada needs a strategy in place to ensure seniors have the supports they need.

“However, instead of making retirement more secure, the Harper Conservatives increased the Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement age of eligibility from 65 to 67 and have repeatedly broken their promise to work with the provinces to boost Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits for all Canadians. This reckless move will only push more seniors into poverty.

“Our seniors deserve better.

“An NDP government would implement a national aging strategy that would include addressing elder abuse; rolling back the retirement age from 67 to 65; and expanding the CPP and Quebec Pension Plan. With practical steps like this we can ensure that seniors are able to lead happy, healthy, and comfortable lives. While the Conservatives keep telling Canadians that they need to work more, and longer, for less, Tom Mulcair’s NDP believes Canadians are entitled to a secure and dignified retirement.”