Susan Eng, CARP VP of Advocacy was in Ottawa March 3rd and 4th to attend the Throne Speech and Federal Budget lockup, and to assess what they mean for older Canadians. The Commentary is attached.
From the CARP Budget Commentary:
So what happened to our priorities?
CARP members asked for comprehensive pension reform and got nice words and the promise of more of the same.
No action on increasing OAS or GIS. No mention of mandatory retirement. The MP pensions were not touched but their salaries are frozen at about $157,000. We are reminded that previous budgets have provided pension income splitting but despite many entreaties, no accommodation is made for single people who cannot benefit from this. We are also reminded that the RRIF age was moved to age 71 but there’s no action on the moratorium on mandated RRIF withdrawals to help people who take steps to save for their own retirement.
At least there are no tax increases. As it was said in the Throne Speech: “Balancing the nation’s books will not come at the expense of pensioners.” Good thing – since we certainly didn’t ask for that!
In the poll issued before the Throne Speech and Budget, CARP ActionOnline readers made their priorities clear. When asked which priorities they want the government to focus on in the Throne Speech, it was apparent retirement security was uppermost in their minds, followed by continuing economic stewardship of the nation’s finances. While their own priority was retirement security, however, members expected the government to focus on economic stewardship to the exclusion of most other priorities. Their scepticism was vindicated.
When asked which one spending measure they would like most to see in the Federal Budget, members focused on retirement security again (“substantial increases to CPP/OAS”), but they expected the government to deliver tax increases instead. Neither happened. Additionally, in a triumph of hope over reason, members expected the now-defunct home renovation credit to be extended. This did not happen either.
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.
To see poll budget poll results, please click here.
To read the CARP budget analysis, please click here. ….
For further information, please contact:
Pam Maher Communications coordinator
Anne Gravel Researcher, Policy Development
Kim Hokan Government Relations Officer
for
Susan Eng Vice President Advocacy CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada
