TORONTO– The Conservative government must consult with the provinces and territories before making any changes to Old Age Security, said Liberal Intergovernmental Affairs critic Stéphane Dion and Liberal Seniors and Pensions critic Judy Sgro, today.
“The Conservative government is once again flouting federalism, this time by cutting pensions without consulting the provinces and territories,” said Mr. Dion. “As is the case with their American-style prison reform, the cost of which will be borne by the provinces and territories, and in the case of healthcare reform where this government broke their promise to maintain transfers to the provinces, the Conservatives are downloading the cost of their ideological obsessions.”
The Harper Conservatives have hinted they will raise the qualifying age for Old Age Security (OAS) from 65 to 67, a move that would cost the most vulnerable seniors as much as $30,000 in benefits. Currently, the OAS and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provide enough support to very low income seniors that they don’t need to apply for provincial welfare programs, but by delaying the OAS and GIS until age 67, the federal government is forcing the cost of funding support for those seniors on the provinces and territories for two additional years.
“The Conservatives are defending their ill-conceived pension reforms by claiming that the long-term sustainability of these programs is at risk, but all facts point to the contrary,” said Ms. Sgro. “The government’s own reports have concluded that Canada’s public pension system is healthy and sustainable, and experts agree that there is no reason to raise the age of retirement.”
Liberals believe the federal government has a responsibility to help ensure the financial security of our seniors, and to work with the provinces and territories to achieve that goal.
“Federalism is about cooperation, it is about compassion and it is about solidarity,” concluded Mr. Dion. “The Conservatives clearly don’t understand that.”
