Some older Canadians are feeling left out of the Liberal government’s latest inflation-relief package, knowing they are not eligible for it.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday that the government will send $250 checks to 18.7 million Canadians working in Canada in 2023 and earning less than $150,000.
These checks, which the government is calling the “Working Canadians Rebate,” are expected to be delivered in “early spring 2025,” Trudeau said. People who will not be working in 2023, such as retirees and welfare recipients, will not be eligible.
Treasury officials told CBC News the $250 checks would cost about $4.68 billion.
Edmonton resident Neil Pearce, 69, called the checks a “political handout.”
He said he was “surprised” that the federal government plans to give benefits to “people who are working and, in some cases, making a lot of money.”
Pearce, a retiree who receives Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments, is not eligible to receive a check.
“Many of us feel left out by this announcement,” he said. “As a result, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.”
Pearce said his 99-year-old mother, who also receives CPP and OAS payments, was “excited” when she first heard the news, but was disappointed when she explained she wouldn’t be receiving a check.
Elizabeth Mary Donlevy — 93 years old from Woodstock, Ontario. – said he was “outraged” to hear the prime minister say the measure would only apply to Canadians who worked in the last year.
“Every time I think about this, I am reminded of the continued discrimination against older people,” she said. “He’s punishing people who are over 65.”
Mr Donlevy said the announcement suggested that the elderly “should go out and work on earning a living so that we are entitled to his benefits”.
He said $250 “means a lot” to some seniors on fixed incomes, but those with six-figure incomes may take it for granted.
“If they’re making that much money…I respect them and I hope they get all they can get, but I don’t know if it’s at the expense of the elderly. “It must not be done,” she said.
Stephen Laperriere, General Manager Reunion of activists encompassing Quebec RAPLIQ, a Montreal-based disability advocacy group, said it has “mixed feelings” about the program because many vulnerable people do not qualify.
“You’re accusing them even more,” he said. “It’s very frustrating to interpret it that way, but that’s how they take it.”
“You’re saying to them, ‘I’m sorry, but it’s not your fault that you can’t work or find a job because of your disability, so you can’t get that check.'”
The checks are meant to ‘recognize hard-working Canadians’ – PM
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Thursday his party supports affordability policies and will work with the Liberals to temporarily break the deadlock in Congress and pass the bill.
That didn’t stop New Westminster, Burnaby, Democratic Rep. Peter Julian from criticizing the measure during question period Friday, asking why some vulnerable people were being excluded. Ta.
“The Liberal Party’s new plan misses the point,” he said. “Liberals are once again failing people on fixed incomes.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his latest affordability plan when asked why groups such as some retirees won’t receive $250 stimulus checks. Prime Minister Trudeau said the latest steps are a way to say thank you to working, middle-class Canadians.
At a press conference in Brampton, Ont., on Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Trudeau said his government is “extraordinary in helping the most vulnerable Canadians” and announced the 10 per cent increase in OAS. He cited an increase in Canada’s child benefit.
He said he regularly hears from working Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet.
“While we are not cutting back on other programs that serve our most vulnerable populations, we will recognize hard-working Canadians,” he said. “It’s about seeing Canadians as hard-working nation-builders and giving them the support they need during this difficult time.”
