FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2009

CARP requests withdrawal of Bill C-428, Private Members Bill is hopeless

TORONTO, ON:

In an open letter issued today, CARP formally requested that MP Ruby Dhalla withdraw Bill C-428; which calls for changes to Old Age Security (OAS) residency requirements. In her letter, Susan Eng, Vice President of Advocacy for CARP stated that while she fully supports proposals that that redress the higher incidence of poverty amongst immigrant seniors; Bill C-428 is incapable of accomplishing this goal. Eng notes that due to well publicized parliamentary rules, Bill C-428 cannot be voted on and is therefore incapable of changing the Old Age Security Act. Eng also points out that Bill C-428 has provoked a negative backlash that will harm the very people that Bill C-428 was designed to help. In light of these circumstances, Ms. Eng ended her letter with a respectful request for the withdrawal of Bill C-428.

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada, social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP’s mission.

Open letter can be viewed by clicking here

Susan Eng
Vice President Advocacy
CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada
or visit our website: www.carp.ca