Mulcair announces plan to lift 200,000 seniors out of poverty

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair brought his Campaign for Change back to Toronto to announce an increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement, an important step in lifting 200,000 seniors out of poverty. In the riding of Davenport, Mulcair was joined by NDP incumbents and new candidates from across the GTA, as well as by Stephen Lewis, former leader of Ontario’s New Democrats.

“Canadians deserve to retire in dignity. Under Stephen Harper, too many Canadian seniors are living in poverty and it’s leaving them vulnerable in retirement,” said Mulcair. “The number of seniors will nearly double in the next 25 years. The NDP is the only party with a national seniors’ strategy that will ensure that everyone can age with dignity.”

An NDP government will complete the work started by Jack Layton and boost the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) by $400 million, as well as consult with experts and stakeholders to ensure seniors that are most in need will benefit from this initiative. The NDP has already committed to reversing Stephen Harper’s plan to raise the eligibility for Old Age Security from 65 to 67.

“No one should have to grow old in poverty, insecurity or isolation,” said Mulcair. “The NDP has the plan and the team to reverse the damage done by Stephen Harper. Canadian seniors can’t afford another four years of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.”

On October 19, voters in Toronto and across Canada have a clear choice; four more years of Stephen Harper or the NDP’s plan for positive change.