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Devolin Column
June 2010
Amending the Old Age Security Act
Before I get to my main topic about the government’s actions to amend the Old Age Security Act, I want to make a quick pitch for the upcoming Seniors Seminars.
Once again, I will be teaming up with your MPP and holding seminars across the riding. This is the fifth year for these events focusing on issues relating to seniors.
Some of the non-profit groups and government organizations attending include, Service Canada, Revenue Canada, your local fire departments, police, health unit, doctor recruitment teams, Community Care, Access Centre and the
CNIB.
In addition, because of the rising popularity, it was decided to add another location to the list of host communities. The dates and locations are:
Monday June 21st – Royal Canadian Legion – Millbrook;
Tuesday June 22nd – Royal Canadian Legion – Beaverton;
Wednesday June 23rd – Royal Canadian Legion – Apsley;
Thursday June 24th – Moose Lodge – Lindsay and;
Friday June 25th – Royal Canadian Legion - Haliburton
Registration for each event is at 8:30am, the agenda gets underway at 9:00am and the day ends with a complimentary lunch and exhibit viewing at 12:00pm. Everyone is welcome. To register, please call 324-2400 or toll free at 866-688-9881.
My main topic focuses on those Canadians who have spent their lives working hard and playing by the rules. On June 1st, our government tabled a bill to amend the Old Age Security (OAS) Act. The intention is to suspend OAS benefits for prisoners in federal penitentiaries, and in provincial and territorial institutions.
I am pleased to report that as a result of the action of our government, prisoners will no longer be able to collect taxpayer-funded Old Age Security payments.
OAS benefits are designed to help seniors meet their immediate basic needs and maintain a minimum standard of living in retirement.
Since a prisoner’s basic needs, such as food and shelter, are already met and paid for by public funds, Canadian taxpayers shouldn’t also be paying for income support through OAS benefits.
Benefits would begin or resume when the individual is released.
We have also made sure that low-income spouses or common-law partners of prisoners will not lose their individual entitlement to the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Allowances as a result of the proposed amendments.
We want to implement this legislation as soon as possible. We’ll start at the federal level, and then work closely with willing provinces and territories to continue implementation across the country in the provincial and territorial institutions.
This amendment is about the responsible use of public funds and treating Canadian taxpayers fairly. We are following through on that commitment.
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