News Release
Embrun (Dec 12, 2005) – As the federal election campaign enters its third week, it is clear that only the Conservative Party has a plan to protect retirement security programs, including Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, and Canada Pension Plan. “ It’s time for a government that respects those who have spent their lives raising families and building this country,” said Lemieux. “Our seniors have spent their lives working hard and saving for retirement. Many of our seniors are on fixed incomes, yet their costs of living are anything but fixed – the cost of electricity is rising, the cost of home heating fuel is rising, and drug and other medical costs are rising. Governments need to do what they can to ensure that seniors are equipped to face these rising costs.” This past week Conservative Leader Stephen Harper announced that a Conservative government will enhance pension income by immediately doubling the pension income amount that seniors can deduct for registered pension plan or RRSP income from $1,000 to $2,000, gradually increasing to $2,500 over the next five years. “Only the Conservative Party has confirmed its commitment to the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security as well as the Guaranteed Income Supplement as fundamental guarantees of income security in retirement years,” said Lemieux. “There will be no reductions of any kind to present or future benefit levels under these programs with a Conservative government. In fact, as this plan makes clear, seniors will finally get a break from a government.” Mr. Harper also promised improved service to seniors, to be monitored by a new national Seniors’ Council, underlining the importance of government officials treating seniors appropriately. The Seniors’ Council will be made up of representatives of national seniors organizations and individual seniors. In addition to monitoring the quality of government services to seniors, it will provide advice to the Minister Responsible for Seniors on government policy. “Only the Conservatives will offer seniors this kind of security,” said Lemieux. “The Liberals have forgotten or ignored seniors for too long. It’s time for a change for the better.”
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