Halton Chapter’s Questions for Election Candidates

Article posted September 20, 2011

The following is a letter your Halton Chapter has sent to all Provincial election candidates in our region. We will post their replies on an ongoing basis so please check this site regularly for updates.

Seniors are a large voting and politically engaged group and we really can make our voices heard. We hope this letter and the expected replies will help you decide who deserves your vote.

“We are writing to you on behalf of the members of the Halton Chapter of CARP and all Seniors and their caregivers living in your provincial riding.

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to a ‘New Vision of Aging forCanada’ promoting social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. Our mandate is to promote and protect the interests, rights and quality of life for Canadians as we age.  We have about 6,000 members within the Region of Halton and over 350,000 in Canada.

With the Provincial elections approaching we feel it is critical for Seniors and those who care for Seniors within Halton to know where those who are running for elected office stand on Seniors’ issues. To this end we are asking you to answer the following questions which we feel are of major concern to Seniors:

1. Will you vote to fully fund a comprehensive home care strategy to allow everyone to stay in their own homes as long as possible? This includes funding and training more home care workers, substantive financial support for full time family caregivers, workplace protection and professional support from the health care system.

2. What will you do to increase affordable access to long term care ?

3. Will you support a concerted effort to reduce the cost of prescription drugs including bulk purchasing, resisting attempts to extend patent protection and ensuring public coverage of drugs is transparent and cost effective. Will you support a national pharmacare policy to provide basic drug coverage for all Canadians?

4. Will you support increasing the income supplement [GAINS] for low income seniors, and extending support especially to those aged 60-64, mostly single, who do not receive the spousal allowance ?

5. What will you do to reduce or mitigate the escalating cost of living, such as HST on home heating, property taxes and electricity costs, for lower, fixed income Ontarians, especially seniors.

Please clearly state what you would do to address these issues.

We will through our web site and our electronic newsletter and press releases be informing Seniors and their care givers of the request we have made. Once responses are received we will make those responses available to them through the same means. We believe you realize that the demographics that we speak for represent the largest single voting group and anticipate a clear response from you

We look forward to receiving your input and thoughts. A response by Sept 19 would be appreciated.

Regards

Tom Carrothers

Chairperson

CARP Halton Chapter