NDP marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

NDP Seniors critic Rachel Blaney made the following statement:

“Today, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, New Democrats reflect on the contributions made by seniors in our communities and what needs to be done to make sure their right to live in dignity and comfort is respected.

This year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day theme is ‘Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies’. Pandemics, conflicts and natural disasters disproportionately impact seniors by exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Seniors often face mobility challenges, health conditions and affordability issues that make emergencies more difficult.

Over the last year, we’ve witnessed this reality right here in Canada with record-breaking wildfires. Last summer, 900 seniors were displaced from a care home in British Columbia because of a wildfire, and that’s just one of many instances of vulnerable people being forced to pack up and move.

With an aging population, we need a real plan to keep seniors safe. By 2036, one in four Canadians will be over 65, but after nine years, Justin Trudeau has no plan to support the elderly loved ones on a daily basis, let alone in an emergency.

And Canadians remember Pierre Poilievre’s track record when he forced seniors to work longer by increasing the retirement age from 65 to 67. He has no problem with cutting seniors’ hard-earned pension and the services they rely on. New Democrats won’t ever let him get away with it.

While the Liberals delay, and the Conservatives try to cut supports, New Democrats are fighting for better for seniors. We fought and delivered dental care so that seniors can get their teeth fixed without worrying about the cost of going to the dentist. And we fought to increase Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments to put more money in seniors’ pockets to afford food and housing. There is still more to do. New Democrats will continue to fight to make Ottawa work for seniors, today and every day.

We’re fighting for a future where parents and grandparents can retire with dignity and always feel safe and supported, no matter the circumstances.”