New federal Minister of Seniors Kamal Khera has introduced Bill C-12 in Parliament, which would amend the Old Age Security Act to exclude any income received under CERB, CRB, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit for the purposes of calculating the amount of GIS and Allowance payable beginning in July 2022.

On August 11th last year, we wrote to the federal government urging them to base GIS payments on pre-CERB years. Since then, we’ve been actively campaigning on this issue, pushing for a quick resolution. We’re relieved to see that Minister Khera has taken decisive action to remove further financial hardship placed on low income seniors across the country.

Official Statement from CanAge CEO, Laura Tamblyn Watts

“This Bill takes an important step forward in protecting vulnerable seniors by excluding all pandemic income supports from the calculation of OAS and GIS eligibility, as of July 2022. However, this does not yet address the harsh reality faced by low income seniors who have had their GIS clawed back. CanAge has consistently raised the alarm that waiting until May for a one-time payment does not help put a roof over their heads, food on their tables or medications in their cupboard. CanAge strongly supports the NDP position on this Bill and is grateful for their persistent leadership on this issue.”

CanAge will continue to hold government accountable for supporting the financial security of our ageing population as a key advocacy priority.