NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

Additional support for seniors

May 12, 2020 – Laval, Quebec – As co-chair of the national seniors’ caucus, Angelo Iacono, MP for Alfred–Pellan, gladly welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding additional support for seniors.

Too many seniors are facing significant economic, social and health challenges as a result of COVID-19. Our seniors helped build this country, and now they need our help.

From the outset of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has introduced measures to support seniors. In April, we invested $1.3 billion to provide seniors with a one-time special payment through the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit. More than four million seniors received this payment, which averaged $375 for single seniors and $510 for senior couples. In addition, we invested in community organizations that provide practical services to Canadian seniors, including the delivery of groceries and medication.

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a series of additional measures to help Canadian seniors and provide them with greater financial security during this time of crisis. These measures include

• Providing additional financial support of $2.5 billion for a one-time tax‑free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Those eligible to receive both the OAS and the GIS will therefore receive $500 to help them cover increased costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network.
• Temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments for seniors whose 2019 income information has not been assessed. This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits now, when they need them the most. To avoid an interruption in benefits, seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2020.

The Government of Canada will continue to monitor and respond to the health, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19. We stand ready to take additional action as needed to support all Canadians, including seniors, and stabilize the economy.

Quotes

“As workers, neighbours, parents, grandparents, spouses, caregivers, and volunteers, Canada’s seniors have shaped this country and contribute to our communities every day. They are among the most threatened by COVID-19, and we will support them and work to keep them safe.”

— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“Since the start of the pandemic, I have constantly been in contact with our Laval seniors, who have shared with me the challenges they are facing. Our government listened: these additional measures will particularly help those who have trouble doing their groceries or getting the assistance they need.”

— Angelo Iacono, MP for Alfred–Pellan

Quick facts

• There are currently 6.7 million seniors eligible for the OAS pension and 2.2 million eligible for the GIS.
• The government has taken a number of steps to support seniors through the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:
• Providing a one-time special payment through the GST credit for low‑and modest-income families. Close to 85% of single seniors and almost half of senior couples benefited from this payment.
• Giving seniors flexibility with their Registered Retirement Income Funds by reducing minimum withdrawals by 25% for 2020. This will help them preserve their assets during a volatile market.
• Contributing $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, prescription drugs or other important items, or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports.
• Investing $100 million to improve access to food for Canadians, including seniors, facing social, economic, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Creating a $350-million Emergency Community Support Fund to help charities and not-for-profit organizations adapt the services they provide to vulnerable groups, including seniors, in response to COVID-19.
• Introducing the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers, including seniors, who have lost their income due to COVID-19. Working seniors are eligible for the CERB: their pension income is not a factor. The government also extended the eligibility of this benefit to individuals who earn up to $1,000 per month, as well as workers who have recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.