CARP extends best wishes to Finance Minister Flaherty and appreciation for responsiveness to seniors’ issues: letter

Posted on by CARP

Mississauga CARP logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2014

Toronto, ON: Best wishes were conveyed on behalf of the 300,000 CARP members nationwide to departing Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and appreciation was expressed in the attached letter for the significant tax changes implemented by Minister Flaherty.

During Minister Flahertys tenure, important improvements of particular interest to seniors were implemented, notably:

  • increased age exemption
  • pension income splitting
  • reduced RRIF withdrawals by 25% for 2008
  • increased GIS exemption for casual earnings
  • a GIS top up for the neediest seniors
  • a caregiver tax credit..

CARP members appreciate Minister Flahertys responsiveness to the issues we raised on behalf of all Canadians as we age. Members applauded his acknowledgement in 2010 of the need to address retirement income security and that government had a role to play. We will pursue CPP enhancement, something he also mentioned in 2010, with his successor, said Susan Eng, VP, Advocacy for CARP

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 CARPs mission.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Park   416.607.2471
Media Relations, Policy Researcher and Coordinator
[email protected]

Michael Nicin   416.607.2479
Director of Policy
[email protected]

Siobhan MacLean 416.607.2475
Media and Communications Coordinator
[email protected]

 

for

Susan Eng
Vice President, Advocacy
[email protected]

CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada
or visit our website: www.carp.ca

 

March 19, 2014

The Honourable James Flaherty
Minister of Finance
Government of Canada

 

Dear Minister Flaherty

On behalf of the 300,000 CARP members nation-wide, please allow me to convey our best wishes as you embark on the next phase of your service to the public and to express our appreciation for the responsiveness that you have shown to issues that concern Canadians as we age.

CARP members appreciate that under your watch, the government increased the age exemption, introduced pension income splitting, reduced RRIF withdrawals by 25% for 2008, increased the GIS exemption for casual earnings, provided a GIS top up for the neediest seniors and introduced a caregiver tax credit. Our members were also cheered by your June 2010 acknowledgement of the need to address retirement income security and that government had a role to play. As you know, we remain supportive of the modest CPP enhancement mentioned in your 2010 declaration and we look forward to pursing this and other issues with your successor in office.

Thank you for the opportunity to work with your office over the years for the betterment of all Canadians.

Sincerely,

Susan Eng
Vice-President, Advocacy
416.607.2475  |  1.888.363.2279 x275