Are you feeling angry? I would bet that most low-income seniors across this country of ours are also angry. As I stated before, this Boomer is angry.
The federal budget left out seniors (again!), and those with disabilities were left out, with extra money ending at age 64. Do they really think that people can live on OAS, GIS and CPP with any dignity? Do they think it is possible to enjoy even a marginal quality of life when you have less than the national poverty line? Really? It truly boggles the mind.
The last increase of any significance was in 2016 and at that time, the increase was to the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Jean-Yves Duclos, then the minister of families, children and social development, was quoted as saying: “Everyone deserves to live with dignity and respect – especially our seniors. The increase to the GIS top-up benefit reaffirms our commitment to lifting Canadians out of poverty, strengthening public pensions and improving the quality of life for seniors.”
How quickly they forget their empty words.
Back then, they spoke of a GIS top up and said the government of Canada would improve the financial security of about 900,000 vulnerable seniors.
To quote that over-used phrase, Breaking News – we are still vulnerable. On the vulnerability meter, ours has gone over the top.
Seniors have not forgotten.
Despite what you might think, we actually have good memories.
Also, just as a reminder, we vote.
We are the Boomer generation – remember the changes we made?
Well, hang on tight, because we plan to do it again.
If you are a Boomer who is reading this, go to www.seniorstincup.org and join us. We plan to protest en masse on June 27, 11 a.m., across B.C.
We are mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore.
I wonder if a parliamentarian can even imagine what it is like to go to the grocery store and try to figure out if you can afford to buy an avocado (yes, as in one), or a few oranges, or butter or many other items. Then there’s the meat.
Perhaps you are over 70 and are contemplating working part time in order to supplement your pension. The only problem is, you have some chronic non-visible disabilities and suffer from fatigue with the least bit of exertion.
Or, worse yet, you are in your 80s and still have to work. Then there’s the claw back thing. If you do try to improve your financial lot in life – the government claws back your GIS because, you naughty little senior, you have to stay poor (wouldn’t you just love to know who made that rule).
Yes indeed, the time has come the senior said. June 27, 11 a.m. Save the date and time. We’ll let you know where. A Kelowna organizer is still needed.
Carole Fawcett is a freelance writer, editor and retired counsellor; flower1@shaw.ca
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