A simple solution: Seniors living in poverty
Posted on December 27, 2010 in Social Security Debates
Source: Toronto Star — Authors: Editorial
TheStar.com – opinion/editorials
Published On Mon Dec 27 2010.
Unthinkable as it seems, 40 years ago in Canada impoverished seniors ate dog food to stay alive. Their plight made headlines when three feisty septuagenarians took a bus from Toronto to Ottawa and marched on the office of then health minister John Munro to demand enough to live on.
Shamed into acting, the government of Lester Pearson created the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a pension top-up for seniors whose income fell below the poverty line.
It was one of the most successful social programs in Canadian history. Over four decades, it reduced the poverty rate among seniors from 36.9 per cent to 2.9 per cent.
But the GIS had a flaw: seniors had to apply for it annually. Some didn’t and some couldn’t.
Lately, that flaw — plus the rising cost of food, electricity and heat — has pushed thousands of seniors back into poverty. As of 2008, 5.8 per of Canadians over 65 fell below StatsCan’s low-income cut-off.
There is a simple step Prime Minister Stephen Harper could take to reverse this trend — a change his own advisers are recommending: send the GIS automatically to every eligible senior.
Anti-poverty groups have been urging Ottawa to do this for a decade, to no avail. But now the same advice is coming from the panel Harper set up to identify waste and inefficiency. Its pre-budget report is sitting on the Prime Minister’s desk.
The bureaucrat in charge of that review, Deputy Minister Daniel Jean, described the proposal at a recent conference as a “home run” in the government’s drive to transform the way it delivers services to Canadians. It would eliminate needless paperwork, reduce administrative costs, ease the strain on the government’s aging computer technology and improve service, he pointed out.
And it would be easy. Canada Revenue Agency could flag seniors whose income tax returns indicate they qualify for the GIS. That would spare them the cumbersome process of applying and spare the government the task of putting new data (which it already has) into the system every year.
The biggest benefit — which Jean did not mention — is that every eligible senior would receive the pension supplement. At the moment, thousands of elderly Canadians don’t because they aren’t aware they have to apply, they can’t speak English or French well enough to fill out the form, or they are disabled by dementia or illness.
This reform wouldn’t eliminate poverty among seniors. But it would be an important step in the right direction.
< http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/911798–a-simple-solution-seniors-living-in-poverty >
Tags: budget, ideology, pensions, standard of living
This entry was posted on Monday, December 27th, 2010 at 9:59 am and is filed under Social Security Debates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
337 Responses to “A simple solution: Seniors living in poverty”
« Older Comments | Newer Comments »
Recent Comments
What made you first develop an interest in this topic?
Thank you for all the information was very accurate, just wondering if all this is possible.~
OK, you outline what is a big issue. But, can’t we develop more answers in the private sector?
Advanced reading here!
I feel that is among the so much significant info for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. However should commentary on some basic issues, The site style is ideal, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Excellent activity, cheers
I’m partial to blogs and i actually respect your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and preserve checking for new information.
Could not disagree with the main ideas. Wonder how things will develop over the coming years.
We’re developing some community services to respond to this, and your blog is helpful.
I’m partial to blogs and i actually respect your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and preserve checking for new information.
I just couldn’t leave your website before suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual information an individual supply on your visitors? Is gonna be back often in order to investigate cross-check new posts
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
I think I will become a great follower.Just want to say your post is striking. The clarity in your post is simply striking and i can take for granted you are an expert on this subject.
This is a great blog. Thank you for the very informative post.
Like the way you’ve outlined things. Easy to follow. Not cluttered.
I like to spend my free time by scaning various internet recourses. Today I came across your site and I found it is as one of the best free resources available! Well done! Keep on this quality!
I wanted to check up and let you know how, a great deal I cherished discovering your blog today. I might consider it an honor to work at my office and be able to utilize the tips provided on your blog and also be a part of visitors’ reviews like this. Should a position associated with guest writer become on offer at your end, make sure you let me know.
Excellent article!! I am an avid reader of your website:D keep on posting that good content. and I’ll be a regular visitor for a very long time!!
I like your blog. It sounds every informative.
Clear, concise and easy to access.