SoVote

Dec/5/22 12:30:21 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, the member made reference to seniors. We brought in increases to the GIS that brought tens of thousands of seniors out of poverty and made a 10% increase for our seniors who are 75 and over. If the member wants to accuse me of upsetting a lot of Conservatives because of the words I say, I can assure the member that every word I say is, in fact, accurate. I think it is important that Canadians have a right to know what the Conservatives are saying. When the Minister of National Revenue says the words “chop, chop, chop”, she is right. The Conservative Party does have that mentality and the member opposite just demonstrated that in part. Canadians have a right to know.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mr. Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-l'Île, BQ)

Dec/5/22 12:31:25 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, the things that stand out about Bill C-32 are the things that are missing, and that includes a very important request from Quebeckers and my constituents. I am talking about the two-tier pension system. The government increased pensions for people aged 75 and up, but it seems to think that seniors aged 65 to 75 do not need a pension increase. I think they do need one, particularly with inflation being what it is right now. I would like my colleague to share his thoughts on that.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Dec/5/22 12:32:00 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, there are a number of things I could say. One would be the fact that the Liberal Party made a campaign commitment to seniors who were 75 and over in the 2019 election that if we were elected into government, we would increase, by 10%, payments for seniors over 75. We are fulfilling an election campaign commitment. If I were to have leave of the chamber to expand on that, I would be happy to explain why it is so critically important. I am disappointed that opposition members do not seem to want to recognize that seniors 75 and over often incur additional expenses. There are factors that need to be taken into consideration. That is why a caring government would do what we have done to support seniors in general.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Ms. Sylvie Bérubé (Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, BQ)

Dec/5/22 12:59:22 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his fine speech. I represent a large riding, and many seniors reach out to me. They are worried. They do not understand what is going on. Some almost wish they were 74 years old so they could collect a decent pension. Can my hon. colleague offer some solutions the government could act on, for once?

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mr. Daniel Blaikie

Dec/5/22 12:59:48 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. I think the solution is staring us in the face: The government should increase OAS for seniors 65 and up. Seniors 65 and up grapple with the same financial pressure as those 75 and up. We know we are going through very tough economic times. Everyone is affected, so everyone should be entitled to a higher OAS benefit.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Salaberry—Suroît, BQ)

Dec/5/22 1:31:02 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, I know my colleague is very concerned about the needs of seniors who are feeling pressure because of inflation. Can she tell me what is missing from this economic statement? Can she tell me if she agrees that people between the ages of 65 and 74 should not be entitled to an increase in their old age security? Does she agree with the government's position?

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mrs. Shelby Kramp-Neuman

Dec/5/22 1:31:31 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, it is undeniable that all Canadians are faced with an extreme amount of economic uncertainty. There is no question that seniors, business owners and families are. No new spending and no new taxes would help seniors and all Canadians across the board.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Ms. Rachel Blaney (North Island—Powell River, NDP)

Dec/5/22 4:10:05 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, one of the concerns that I have in my riding, and I am wondering if the member has the same concern, is how many seniors are becoming homeless or unhoused within my region. It is quite concerning when I see some seniors in their seventies living in their vehicle or living rough in a tent in my communities. It is very concerning. I just wonder if the member could speak to this, and if she agrees with the NDP that we should not have the OAS increased only for those aged 75-plus, but that in fact it should be for all seniors, so we can lift them out of poverty and make sure they have a safe home to live in.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Dec/5/22 4:36:53 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, the bill is not designed to make a better world per se, but to be a benefit to Canadians. We recognize that Canadians are having a difficult time. It is a time when there is inflation, even though inflation rates around the world are much higher, on average, than they are here in Canada. Whether one looks at the U.S., England, other European countries or the G20, Canada is doing relatively well, but we are still hurting. That is why there are a number of initiatives within the legislation to provide support for Canadians. I want to very quickly make reference to the multi-generational home renovation program, because I agree with the member on that. We both agree that it is a wonderful program. It will enable people to keep a parent in their home with the construction of a suite. It will also help our communities by keeping seniors in our communities, as opposed to going to care facilities. I am wondering if the member could provide her thoughts in regard to how this is a win-win situation for seniors, the community and, in fact, the taxpayer.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Ms. Andréanne Larouche (Shefford, BQ)

Dec/5/22 4:41:02 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Beauport—Limoilou for her excellent speech. I would like to follow up on the question asked by my colleague from Winnipeg North. I always find it fascinating to hear him talk about seniors. It is really something else. It is all well and good to talk about a credit for a multi-generational home, but if seniors do not have the income necessary to stay at home, that will not happen. In her speech, my colleague talked about the lack of support for seniors between the ages of 65 and 74. I am concerned because the statistics are worrisome. Last week, the major media fundraising drive did not meet its goal because people are even having a hard time donating to such a cause. This fundraising drive needed donors to give generously because needs are greater. Needs are greater mainly because seniors on a fixed income are having a hard time getting enough to eat. A study showed that at least half of seniors will be affected by the increase in inflation next year. It is more important than ever to help seniors on a fixed income that does not go up.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mrs. Julie Vignola

Dec/5/22 4:42:12 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, I could not agree more with my colleague. It is high time the government stopped discriminating against our seniors so much and start giving them the support they need. In my riding, I see seniors rummaging through the garbage. That is unacceptable. It seems obvious to me.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Ms. Ruby Sahota (Brampton North, Lib.)

Dec/5/22 5:08:18 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, my first question for the member opposite on her speech about the fall economic statement is about support for Canadians, in particular Canadian seniors. I know that many seniors in my riding were very appreciative of the doubling of the GST credit. It will be continued for the next six months, and it was implemented on November 4. It is help for many seniors, as many seniors receive that tax credit. The member also talked about investment, job opportunities and companies leaving our shores. I feel that the member is painting a grim picture and maybe a falsehood of the reality of what is taking place in Canada. For the first two or three years that our government was in power, we saw an unprecedented growth in the foreign investment coming into Canada. It actually exceeded the 10-year average of investment in Canada. We have a stable currency, and the government has made stable, transparent decisions when it comes to the environment and immigration. Many companies, especially in the IT sector, have been attracted to Canada. I would like to know what the member thinks about all of that because she seems to be pointing to false negatives.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mr. Luc Desilets (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, BQ)

Dec/5/22 5:26:11 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I will agree on one thing. This is obviously not the bill of the century. We in the Bloc Québécois focused on three key issues before the bill was introduced, and we will continue to focus on them because they are what matter the most to us. I am talking about increased health transfers, support for seniors over 65 and urgent EI reform. Does my colleague agree with me that the government should focus on these three priorities?

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Mrs. Cathay Wagantall

Dec/5/22 5:26:53 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, I have to say my colleague and I agree on more than just one thing, because we serve on the veterans affairs committee together, and I really appreciate what he brings to the table there. Are these important issues? Absolutely they are. I have to say my concern is for seniors who require assistance. It is always really important that we make that clarification. Sometimes I have trouble believing I am talking to myself about that particular age group, but the truth of the matter is that it is very important that the individuals who need the assistance in our society get it, and unfortunately a lot of those things are being put in jeopardy because of the way the government has handled the fiscal responsibility Canadians have entrusted it with.

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Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22

Ms. Andréanne Larouche (Shefford, BQ)

Dec/5/22 5:43:00 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague. As a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, I too am thinking of the families of the victims, the indigenous women and girls who have disappeared. There was another case recently in Winnipeg. Such a tragedy. My colleague spoke about dental care for seniors. The government often holds this up as an example of how it is helping seniors. However, how can it ignore all seniors aged 65 to 74? Does my colleague not think that old age security should be increased for them and that this is what would truly help seniors?

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