The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament Joyce Bateman (Winnipeg South Centre), highlighted the Harper Government’s commitment to improving the quality of life and expanding opportunities for Canadian seniors.
“Our Government is taking action to ensure that Canadian seniors are able to enjoy their golden years and that their children and grandchildren will have access to sustainable social programs when they need them,” said Minister Toews. “Our Government is continuing to increase funding for health care to record levels and is reducing the deficit without cutting transfers to provinces.”
Economic Action Plan 2012 builds on top of the over $2.5 billion in annual tax relief the Conservative Government has provided to seniors and pensioners since 2006.
The Plan introduces new measures to improve the quality of life and expand opportunities for Canadian seniors, and to ensure sustainable social programs are available for all Canadians, including:
• The Third Quarter Project – an innovative, online approach to help employers find experienced workers over 50 who want to keep using their skills in the workforce. Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes $6 million to extend and expand the successful Third Quarter project across the country.
• Providing the option to those who wish to work longer, of voluntarily deferring take-up of OAS benefits starting in July 2012. Those who choose this option will subsequently receive a higher annual actuarially adjusted pension.
• Gradually increases the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplements benefits from 65 to 67. This change will start in April 2023, with full implementation by January 2029, and will not affect anyone who is 54 years of age or older as of March 31, 2012.
“Our Government is giving seniors the freedom to remain in the workforce if they want to and is taking steps to secure retirement and ensure sustainable social programs are available for all Canadians,” said MP Joyce Bateman (Winnipeg South Centre). “Changes will be made with substantial notice and with an adjustment period and will not affect current retirees or those close to retirement.”
