During a speech in the House of Commons, federal NDP critic for seniors Rachel Blaney again urged the government to stop punishing seniors by clawing back the guaranteed income supplement (GIS) they need.
According to a media release from Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River, minister of seniors Kamal Khera responded by saying she was “proud” of the government’s record on seniors despite the fact there are currently 90,000 seniors in Canada who are at risk of homelessness or struggling to purchase food and medication because they have been cut off the GIS by the Liberal government.
“A 71-year-old man, who was cut off the GIS, told me he’s been diagnosed with cancer,” stated Blaney. “Because of this government clawing back his GIS, he can’t afford his medication and he’s facing eviction in three weeks. Sadly, he’s not alone. These are real people who the government is hurting. This government needs to do better for the seniors who have built this country.”
The release stated that while Khera has very few seniors in her riding, they make up less than eight per cent of that population, Blaney says Khera needs to listen to the thousands of stories from across the country and finally act to fix the problem.
In August, Blaney and NDP critic for finance Daniel Blaikie sent a letter to the Liberal government alerting them to this problem. Instead of finding a solution, the Liberals turned their backs on seniors and called an unnecessary federal election, the release stated. In the months since New Democrats brought this issue to their attention, the Liberals have made no progress and seniors have become even more desperate, according to the release.
“For months, the minister has known about the situation facing seniors and this government has been dragging its feet,” stated Blaney. “Meanwhile seniors will be out on the street for the holidays. She says she is working on it, but seniors are being evicted and cannot wait.
“It’s embarrassing that we have to keep pushing the Liberals to give seniors the most basic help that they deserve.”
