Politic?

Unabashed, Unapologetic Pandering to the Demographic Vote

"[COVID-19] has made life more expensive and more difficult for seniors because of the risks of more severe outcomes."
"Many are facing higher costs for food and services due to imposed restrictions. They're paying more in dispensing fees to get the same medication. They are paying a premium for deliveries."
"All the while, their life savings have taken a beating."
Seniors Minister Deb Schultz, Ottawa

"I expect that the lowest-income seniors -- particularly those who rely almost exclusively on OAS (Old Age Security) and GIS (Guaranteed Income Security) for income -- have struggled with the COVID-19 restrictions."
"I think public health information would support a concern that many low-income seniors are at greater risk than other demographic groups and perhaps have thus had to incur more costs than others."
"Some of this group continues to work, and I expect some will receive CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit). Moreover, this will include many seniors with savings available to manage any extra costs associated with COVID-19."
Tammy Schirle, economic policy for the elderly professor, Wilfred Laurier University

"This was a waste [making a seniors-centric COVID financial aid package universal]."
"Some [seniors] may have lost on the financial markets, but $300 to $500 is unnecessary and far too small in that case anyway. Yes, prescription drugs have gone up for the general population, but many seniors are on provincial drug plans and get covered."
"The federal government will have huge demands in the fall when many might not be able to pay back deferred taxes, mortgage payments and utility bills."
Jack Mintz, economist, president's fellow, University of Calgary School of Public Policy

"Were I in charge, I'm not sure I would have gone with the OAS portion given that non-poor seniors have fixed incomes but generally much higher savings to rely on relative to other adults."
"There may be a good rationale [for this Liberal government's decision to make senior aid payments universal] that I'm not thinking of."
Jennifer Robson, political management professor, Carleton University

"Additional temporary help for low-income seniors who might be facing unexpected higher costs seems reasonable. Beyond that, it's pretty lazy policy", commented Aaron Wudrick, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayer Federation. But in fact, this is beyond lazy, it is a deliberate decision taken for political purposes; to influence this government's approval rating from all demographic sectors, from the unemployed who have just been given a huge boost in financial aid from March to August of $500 weekly without having to undergo stringent authenticity of their claim linked to COVID, and now the elderly many of whom live in poverty, but many more who don't.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in other words is using tax money as capital, his to personally disburse, that he has already depleted in exhausting his imagination to dole out as much financial aid to as many variant causes as he can imagine to ingratiate himself to the electorate, and in so doing utterly beggaring the country. "It doesn't make any economic sense, for sure", Rachel Curran, former policy director to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper responded. "It's a political decision entirely."

Citing the increased cost of pharmaceuticals as an example of increased financial layouts for seniors just doesn't wash, since all provinces and territories list seniors on their drug benefit formularies and most prescribed medications are free of cost to seniors. As for dispensing fees, many pharmacies simply don't charge them to seniors. Had this senior-specific pandemic financial aid been designed responsibly it would be directed only to those seniors in financial need.

The writer of this piece and her husband are 83 years of age, both prescribed medications paid for through the provincial plan. Moreover, fortunate enough to be living comfortably on a gold-plate pension that adjusts for the cost of living. We are in no need of a top-up of our income, it is more than sufficient for our needs and beyond. Were such a cheque to be delivered to us, as it will be, since it has been designed as 'universal', it would go straight to our local food bank.

This government has placed the country deeply in debt through truly profligate spending, some needed and some simply not. This new $2.5-billion package will be giving tax funds to people who have no need of it whatever; it is too broad-based, and clearly aimed at a specific voting bloc. As transparent a political move as any this government has made. The plan is to provide a one-time $300 payment to seniors who receive Old Age Security and an additional $200 to those who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement that distinguishes them as low-income.

Individuals whose taxable income is up to $128,137 receive Old Age payments in Canada. Seniors living on $18,600 annually are entitled to the income supplement. Such a blanket distribution of financial aid to all seniors in the country is disturbingly wasteful and obviously unnecessary. Equally obvious is the plan behind making it a universal benefit. This Liberal government knows no sense of shame for its underhanded manipulation to benefit from a global threat in the guise of competent management.