HUGHES ‘TIME TO PAY ATTENTION TO PENSIONS’

Written by NDP Media on 22 September 2010

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes

MP calls on government to attend to Seniors’ concerns

OTTAWA, ON – Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes is calling on the government to double the Canada Pension Plan, raise the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors and protect workplace pensions.

In a tongue-in-cheek statement today Hughes congratulated the government for the paltry increase to Old Age Security payments that recipients are receiving. The increase of .06% works out to $1.55 a month.

“(It is) an incredible amount that will help everyone forget about the fake-lake at the G-8 or the latest Conservative/Liberal tax-grab, the HST,” said Hughes. “A $1.55 is almost enough for a can of beans or a cup of coffee.”

The government has focussed on the profits in the banking sector, and is calling that an economic recovery. This ignores the 1.5 million Canadians who are still out of work or the six in ten who are living paycheque to paycheque.

Hughes contends the problems are acute for many of Canada’s seniors who have watched prices rise all around for everyday items like fuel or produce, while their pensions have remained pretty much static.

Hughes concluded her statement with the story of a constituent who approached her about the small increase to OAS. “Mr. Robert Taylor of Elliot Lake is saving up his increase,” said Hughes. “ He would like the Prime Minister to tell him how best to invest this windfall so that he could really maximize his extra $18.60 a year.”