Devolin Column
April 2010
Bill
C428
Over
the past few months, my office has received a high volume of
correspondence from people all across the riding concerned about Bill
C-428, a bill I strongly oppose.
The
piece of legislation in question, introduced by Ruby Dhalla, the Liberal
Member of Parliament for Brampton Springdale, attempts to change the
residency requirement in order to qualify for Old Age Security (OAS).
Currently,
in order to qualify for OAS, there is a ten year residency requirement
after age eighteen. If this is met, eligible Canadians can start
receiving benefits at age sixty-five.
Ms. Dhalla’s legislation proposes to reduce the residence
requirement to just three years.
As
I have stated in my replies to the many constituents who have been
contacting my office about this issue, I am opposed to this Bill as I feel
the status quo is generous enough for new Canadians.
In
my opinion, the ten year requirement period strikes an appropriate balance
between an individual’s contribution to Canadian society and the economy
and his or her access to a lifelong, publicly funded benefit.
It should be pointed out that
Canada
does make OAS agreements with nations that have comparable social security
programs, which allow some newcomers to
Canada
to qualify for OAS sooner. It should also be noted that in these cases it
works both ways and a Canadian could also qualify for a pension in a
foreign country that had a reciprocal agreement.
The reason that Canada does not currently
have agreements like this with every country is because they do not have
social security programs like ours to enable reciprocal agreements; Bill
C-428 would provide those new immigrants with OAS benefits after only 3
years residency when they have come from a country with no comparable
program to pay into.
That
is why I believe it is reasonable to expect that a person live in
Canada
for a minimum period of time before being granted the right to a lifelong
public benefit. As such, I believe the government is taking a fair and
responsible approach to providing benefits to seniors through
Canada
’s OAS program.
In
addition, if passed, it is estimated that Bill C-428 would cost taxpayers
over $700 million, rendering this proposal costly and irresponsible, and
would be paid for by Canadian taxpayers. With all of this in mind, I will
be joining my caucus colleagues and be voting against Bill C-428 when it
comes forward for Second Reading until some time in 2011.
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