Canada's NDP

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October 1st, 2018

Statement by Jagmeet Singh on National Seniors Day

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

“After working hard to build our country, too many seniors now cannot make ends meet, with the rising costs of housing and prescription drugs – too many seniors are being left behind.

Today, more than a quarter million seniors live below the poverty line, forced to choose between filling a prescription or buying groceries. Women find it even harder to make ends meet, since they typically earned less during their working years.

Despite this reality, the Liberal government has made only a small increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for single seniors – not enough to actually provide the solutions seniors need.

In a country as prosperous as Canada, that’s unacceptable.

New Democrats believe seniors should be able to live out their retirement years in dignity. That’s why we are advocating for a National Seniors Strategy to make sure our country can offer the programs and services seniors need, efficiently and effectively, and ensure that together, we can meet the many challenges ahead.

We need to take concrete actions to lift seniors out of poverty. That includes investments in affordable housing and home care, increasing the GIS and implementing universal pharmacare.

On this National Seniors Day, New Democrats are again calling on the Liberal government to take concrete actions. Together, let’s commit to making life better for all seniors in Canada who deserve the utmost care, dignity and respect.”