Local seniors hear candidate promises, but are they convinced?

Local NDP candidate Lon Borgerson said his party, if elected, would return the minimum age for receiving Old Age Security (OAS) from 67 back to 65. In fact, he wasn’t the only one, with Liberal Gordon Kirkby and Green Party candidate Byron Tenkink echoing the same sentiment. Conservative incumbent Randy Hoback remained unaverred, content with the change, saying they will be able to better support an aging population by making people wait two extra years.

Borgerson said his party leader, Tom Mulcair, has committed to having a first minister’s meeting if elected. He said their party also plans on putting an extra $400 million in funding towards the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), with the goal of getting 200,000 seniors out of poverty. He pledged their protection of the pension income splitting plan for seniors.

Borgerson also said the NDP would keep the tax-free savings account at a $5,000 limit but will “scrap doubling it,” saying, only eight per cent of people even have the $5000 in savings. This, he said, “will benefit all instead of just the wealthy”. This was another point Kirkby also made.

Lastly, Borgerson said as the four fathers of Medicare, the NDP would safe guard the public health care system.

“I’m a strong believer in universal programs where everyone benefits,” finished Borgerson.

Conservative incumbent Randy Hoback said they’d keep income splitting for seniors and they would keep tax-free savings at $5,000 and $10,000.

Hoback said they plan on implementing a home accommodation tax credit if re-elected so seniors can make home modifications, such as ramps, so they can stay home longer. Hoback said the credit would offer 15 per cent of costs back, up to $10,000.

He said the Conservative Party promises to extend compassionate care from six weeks to six months so family members can receive unemployment insurance while taking care of their loved ones.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program will continue to receive funding to improve senior facilities across the country, he said.

Hoback also explained how their tough on crime policy protects seniors, putting dangerous offenders behind bars for longer.

When a member of the crowd asked why he was denied income splitting with his wife of three years simply because they weren’t married when he was working, Hoback said he doesn’t know the specifics but he would take it back to caucus for discussion.

Kirkby started off with a criticism of the other parties, saying the Conservatives led the country into two recessions. He said the Liberal Party plans to maintain clarity act, with a possible Quebec separation not being tolerated.

He pledged the “largest ever” infrastructure program to build senior facilities, long term care facilities, hospitals and more.

Kirkby also said his party would work with the provincial leadership, hosting meetings on the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), healthcare, pharmacare, long term care and home care.

As far as veterans go, it’s no secret that Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has pledged restore their benefits.

Kirkby said they “won’t touch income splitting for retired seniors” and plan to reduce taxes for 90 per cent of the population.

He said they would discuss assisted suicide as well as elder abuse. Saying if the economy is stronger, family members won’t be tempted to take money from elderly loved ones.

“We must make sure all people in this country can live with dignity and respect,” said Kirkby.

Tenkink said the Green Party is one of “big ideas” which plans on working smarter, with new initiatives, instead of harder.

He said their party will work to help the over 600,000 Canadian seniors who registered below poverty line 2014.

To accomplish this, they’ll amalgamate Guaranteed Livable Income to include GIS and OAS. (CPP would stand parallel, he said).

He said they plan to bring pharmacare under universal coverage and plan a national health care strategy for long term care, preventative care and home care.

He said this will better the economy, stating hospital bed costs way more than a long term care bed or a home care bed. They would take a national approach to this issue, he said, to encourage elderly people staying at home by offering subsidies.

Prince Albert’s federal candidates heard from a very concerned group at the all candidates meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Mixed response

Rod Thomson stood to ask a question after the opening remarks, saying he just turned 81 on Wednesday. He swiftly brought forward the concerns of the single senior citizens.

“They get no benefits whatsoever and they have extra expenses because the reason their single is beyond their control, because their spouse has died, or they’re divorced or they never got married in the first place,” said Thomson.

He suggested raising the income-tax credit for seniors. Instead of giving tax breaks of $6,854 to only those who make $34,562 or less, he said people should qualify if they make $50,000 or less.

“Something is going to have to happen,” said Thomson. “Otherwise, we’re going to end up with a whole pile of single seniors out on the street as street people.

“They just can’t afford to keep up the lifestyle.”

He also suggested the parties should be pledging to do more for the single senior citizens since they’re left without income splitting or child tax benefits.

“I want to action happen now, during an election campaign,” said Thomson. “I want see the leadership of all the political parties saying, ‘Yeah, we’ll deal with this’ and, “This is what we’re going to do.’

“And do it.”

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Local seniors hear candidate promises, but are they convinced?

What's Trending