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e-3291 (Social affairs and equality)

E-petition
Initiated by Michael Walton from Cumberland, British Columbia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the gaping cracks in care and support for seniors to the extent that our current generation of elders is dying in care homes at rates exceeding anything a modern society should allow;
  • In passing its various Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) packages, to modernize the Employment Insurance (EI) benefits that were deemed inadequate, the House of Commons has determined that a minimum income to ensure a Canadian's health and well being is $500 per week;
  • While seniors rely on three different programs for government support (Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)), the OAS is the only one that is universal for all seniors;
  • An immediate increase in the OAS will have many benefits for both seniors and our society, allowing for many to remain in independent living situations longer and provide future savings to the health care system while providing stimulus in local communities to aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 recession;
  • Seniors rely heavily on community services and spend their money locally; and
  • Seniors deserve to be treated with as much respect as other Canadians going through these difficult times together.
We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to immediately increase the OAS seniors benefit to the same amount as the CERB benefit, which is currently $500.
Open for signature
March 25, 2021, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
April 24, 2021, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)
Photo - Gord Johns
Courtenay—Alberni
New Democratic Party Caucus
British Columbia