It is often assumed that older persons have strong party and brand loyalty;a misconception that the more savvy pollsters and marketers have de-bunked time and time again. Our pre-election debate polling reaffirmed that in fact, CARP members are well aware that changing their vote drives change and produces results, and that they are likely and willing to do so. CARP members feel that both the June 3rd speech from the Throne and the June 6th budget offer improvements from the status quo, but fall short of their expectations.
Typically, the proposals they preferred came from the opposition, whose role in the parliamentary process they hold in high esteem. Members say they will be looking to the opposition NDP not only to hold the governments feet to the fire with regard to commitments made, but also to press for improvements on promises made. Poll respondents said that it was extremely or very important to them that the government support their preferred option, and that in every case, most would support the opposition if their position was not adopted.
Lets take a moment to break down commitments made during the Throne Speech and assess how they stack up:
Pension Reform
During the Speech from the Throne, the government said it would continue working with provincial and territorial governments to implement the pooled registered pension plans.
CARPs response: An improvement on the status quo, but the whole point of pension reform is that it must provide the one in three Canadians without a workplace pension with a portable and AFFORDABLE pension vehicle. The private sector Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs) may not be a big step up, if they dont guarantee the kind of scale and administrative efficiencies that would provide members with savings on management fees equivalent to the Canada Pension Plan.
CARP members want to see the CPP enhanced significantly and a publicly-administered pooled pension option – that is, a universally accessible pension plan administered by public pension plan administrators like the CPP, OMERS and the provincial Teachers’ funds. CARP members also like the opposition proposals for :
Pension Plan Protection:
Ensure that those collecting long-term disability benefits are given greater protection in the event that the company providing the benefit goes bankrupt.
Create a Stranded Pension Agency. In the event that an employer goes bankrupt, this agency will give Canadian workers a chance to transfer their pensions into the Canada Pension Plan so that their assets can continue to grow through a secure investment vehicle, rather than simply having their pension placed in a low-return annuity.
Caregiving
The budget set aside funds to provide caregivers with a $300 non-refundable tax credit.
CARPs Response: Its a good start on the major plank of CARP’s National Caregiver Strategy – financial support but the amount is modest and those who need it the most may not benefit. CARP polling revealed that members preferred the NDPs caregiver proposal to the Liberal and Conservative proposals. It included:
A Refundable Caregiver Benefit of up to $1,500 per year to assist low and middle-income families in tackling the costs of everyday needs while caring for elderly or dependant family members including children, spouses, parents and other family members
New Federal Funds for Home Care: Establish a new designated federal home care transfer of funds to the provinces to guarantee a basic level of home care services to all Canadians, wherever they live.
Poverty
A one-time boost of $300 million to the GIS, meaning that the poorest seniors will receive $600 per person or $840 per couple.
CARPs response: This is a great measure that will help the poorest seniors who undeniably need the help, but CARP members want the government to set a benchmark and do whatever it takes to lift all seniors out of poverty. Members realize that a single spending measure is not the ultimate solution. The government needs to look at increasing assistance AS WELL as reducing costs by targeting programs like home care, long-term care and affordable housing.
Elder Abuse
During the Throne Speech, the government promised to take on elder abuse by ensuring stiffer sentencing.
CARPs response: The budget did not mention this measure, because it is not a budgetary measure; it is a legislative one. CARP members would expect all the parties to collaborate to expedite passage of this measure. Without this measure, those who prey on the elderly are not being given sentences that sufficiently reflect society’s abhorance of such behaviour or to deter it. CARP calls on the government to act on this by June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Acting immediately on this issue will demonstrate more commitment and leadership than any press release or photo opportunity could.
Ending Mandatory Retirement (Again!)
The government also offered (again!) to eliminate mandatory retirement. (Mandatory retirement still exists for federally regulated industries like airlines (pilots), inter-provincial trucking, telecommunications and broadcasting. The reference to mandatory retirement in the Throne Speech and pre-election budget refers to the removal of legislated age discrimination in section 15[1][c] of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which allows federally regulated industries to have a mandatory retirement policy, i.e. force people to retire at a given age.
The provincial counterpart to this provision has already been removed, so all federal civil servants ALREADY have the right to keep working. Its just that most wont bother to keep working after they max out their pension entitlements. So it will not have any impact on trying to reduce government spending by encouraging early retirement. This is a separate issue.
CARPs Reponse: The importance of this mention in the Throne Speech should not be underestimated. Removal of section 15[1][c] has been promised by the various parties in previous elections. In the last Parliament, a Liberal Private Members Bill almost made it through, but ultimately died on the Order Paper when the election was called.
Just remove the offending section already!
Keywords: caregivers, poverty, pension reform, retirement, abuse
