MP Rachel Blaney makes motion to provide increases for all qualified for old age security
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney’s motion to increase old age security for all qualifying seniors regardless of age failed to pass a vote in the House of Commons, February 1.
Blaney, who is the NDP’s critic for seniors, moved the motion, noting that all Canadians face the same increased cost of living, regardless of their age, according to a media release.
“It isn’t okay that senior Canadians are struggling in poverty,” stated Blaney. “Now that everything is so expensive, the last thing we should do is have a two-tiered system. All seniors face inflation and rising cost of living, not just those over 75 years of age.”
The release stated that seniors aged 75 and older were given a 10 per cent increase to their old age security (OAS) benefit in 2022.
Blaney read the motion in the House but it was denied passage by the Liberals, the release stated.
The motion read: “That, given that all elderly Canadians face the same rising cost of living and greedflation, the recent 10 per cent increase to the old age security be applied to all qualifying seniors, regardless of age.”
There are so many seniors living in poverty, at risk of homelessness or currently unhoused, without food and not able to afford the basic necessities of life, according to Blaney.
“There’s a bar of dignity we should expect in Canada and there are far too many people below it,” stated Blaney. “I will continue pushing the government to help Canadians obtain the financial support they need.”
