Speaking at the end of the session in the House of Commons, North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney said she has been busy with a number of files.
Calling from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Blaney, the NDP critic for veterans affairs, said she had the opportunity to spend time with veterans who are in their 90s.
“I’m so inspired by their good health, their wisdom, and their stories have been phenomenal,” said Blaney.
Regarding current issues, Blaney said her office has received letters regarding the frustration many in the North Island-Powell River region are feeling with regard to high gas prices.
She said she has spoken with the minister responsible and recently sent a letter requesting the creation of a petroleum monitoring agency.
“This is something I think needs to happen because so many people don’t know why gas prices are going up or down and people want to see more stability,” said Blaney. “I hope to hear back from the minister soon on this important issue. By having a petroleum monitoring agency, it would be an opportunity to look at those key areas about why it’s so expensive.”
Blaney said that living in remote areas, it should be expected that it will cost a little bit more for gas but the difference that is being paid is “ridiculous.”
“It’s a big concern, especially for rural, remote communities,” said Blaney. “We are asking for a process of monitoring and accountability that the everyday consumer understands.”
Blaney also spoke about her private member’s bill, C-449, to help recipients of the guaranteed income supplement avoid temporary suspension of benefits. Blaney said she is proud that since the announcement was made, several prominent associations representing retirees are supporting the bill and are advocating to the government that it needs to move forward.
Blaney had the opportunity to speak at the national convention on preventative health and aging in Toronto about this issue and several other matters relating to seniors.
Spurring the private member’s bill, Blaney’s office has received calls from seniors who have filed their taxes a couple of weeks late because they were sick, lost a loved one or are aging. Blaney said there are multiple challenges facing seniors and if they file late they lose their guaranteed income supplement if they are eligible.
“When we got the numbers back we saw that it’s thousands of seniors who are losing their guaranteed income supplement,” said Blaney. “When they lose that little bit extra it can have a devastating impact.”
The private member’s bill proposes a grace period where seniors who are in the lowest income bracket in Canada, rather than losing their income supplement, will continue to receive it. The bill proposes a one-year grace period if the seniors are unable to file their taxes by the deadline.
On another issue, Blaney said that recently there had been an announcement regarding chinook salmon retention because of Fraser River conservation concerns. The announcement by Fisheries and Oceans Canada had some serious ramifications for the riding and also brings forward the major concerns about the health of the ocean, of salmon and what is needed to be done better, according to Blaney.
She said there was a motion on the table for the federal fisheries and oceans committee to study the economic impact of the announcement, and “sadly, it was defeated by the Liberals. The NDP and Conservatives supported it.”
Blaney said work needs to be done on the coast. She said she has met with many people across the riding and a comprehensive report has been created and sent to the minister of fisheries and oceans about the issues that are seen in the riding.
“So it’s basically what we’ve heard from people across our riding, who want to see a comprehensive response to deal with the concerns in the report by the end of July,” said Blaney. “We’ve asked the minister to come to the riding.”
