“Politicians not addressing what Older Canadians need” CARP poll shows

“This has to be a disappointment for those who had hoped that the government would help those who had acted responsibly to provide for their own retirement and got hit with circumstances beyond their control. The moratorium would have deferred tax revenues but if people were allowed to keep their savings in the tax deferred RRIFs until the market recovered, there could be higher tax revenues from the later withdrawals”, said Eng.

More Needed to Ward off Poverty

To ward off poverty for older Canadians, an increase to Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplements would have more targeted effect than the broad based tax relief and the age credit. Studies have shown that additional income for low income groups is immediately spent and more likely to have an immediate stimulus effect than higher income groups who save the tax rebates or pay off debt.

“Much more could have been done – the lower tax brackets could have been increased up to a point above the poverty line [LICO is $22,000 in cities] to ensure that the very low income benefit the most. The people most in need would get real help and the bonus is real economic stimulus as they spend every penny they get on necessities,” added Eng.

No new Support for Family Caregivers

Nothing new was offered to help the estimated 5 million Canadians who undertake caregiving responsibilities for their older relatives and other loved ones. CARP has recommended a comprehensive National Caregiver Strategy that provides financial and tax support that makes it financially feasible for people to take time off work to look after their loved ones, to make sure that their job is waiting for them when they get back and to ensure that the formal health care system facilitates their care giving role.

“Any of the existing and proposed measures for child rearing could be delivery models for caregiver support. What is needed is political leadership that values the care of older Canadians as much as the care of children,” said Eng.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Pam Maher 416.363.2277 x. 235
Communications coordinator

Anne Gravel 416.363.2277 x. 230
Researcher, Policy Development

for

Susan Eng
Vice President Advocacy
CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada

or visit our website: www.carp.ca