The Liberal government must appoint a minister of Seniors
Following the election of a minority Liberal government, FADOQ calls on the Canadian Parliament to work in a spirit of collaboration to support older adults.
“We extend our congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney. We are ready to work with him and his team to improve the quality of life for seniors. This begins with the appointment of a minister of Seniors in the next cabinet,” said FADOQ President Gisèle Tassé-Goodman.
Prior to the launch of the election campaign, Canada’s largest organization representing older adults shared its key priorities — among them, the appointment of a minister of Seniors with a portfolio and financial resources. This minister must have a “seniors’ lens” to ensure that every government decision takes their realities into account. They must also be given a dedicated budget to provide concrete support through appropriate programs and initiatives.
During the election campaign, FADOQ took note of the Liberal Party of Canada’s commitments to:
- Increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) by 5% for one year;
- Reduce the mandatory minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25% for one year;
- Lower the income tax rate on the first income bracket of $57,375 from 15% to 14%;
- Cancel the planned increase in the capital gains inclusion rate.
However, a one-time 5% increase to the GIS is insufficient. FADOQ is calling for a permanent enhancement to help offset the rising cost of living. It is important to remember that those eligible for GIS face financial insecurity on an almost daily basis.
FADOQ will continue to raise awareness among elected officials about the financial vulnerability of seniors of all ages. It is specifically calling for a 10% increase to Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for those aged 65 to 74.
FADOQ is also advocating for better support for caregivers, who play a vital social role, by extending Employment Insurance benefits to 52 weeks for those who must temporarily leave their jobs. The organization also supports converting the Canada Caregiver Credit into a refundable, tax-free benefit.
Finally, FADOQ is calling for the continuation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan and a review of the fee schedule to ensure full reimbursement of dental care costs, especially for low-income individuals.
