MP from B.C. Southern Interior scribes letter to Minister Finley

by Contributor on 14 Feb 2012
in
MP from B.C. Southern Interior scribes letter to Minister Finley

February 13, 2012

Ottawa, ON

The Honourable Diane Finley, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

Room 707 Confederation Building

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Finley,

Enclosed please find two letters from constituents which represent the feedback my office has been receiving since the Prime Minister made the announcement to increase the Old Age Security (OAS) age to 67.

·      The OAS-GIS is easily sustainable and is actually projected to decrease in cost, relative to the size of the economy, in the long-run.

·      We should be taking practical, affordable measures to lift every senior out of poverty, by expanding the GIS – not make it worse by slashing Old Age Security.

·      A better option for Canadians is to expand the CPP, as the NDP has long argued.  A modest increase in premiums can finance a doubling of CPP benefits for all Canadian workers.  This would provide real, sustainable, retirement security for Canadians.

I strongly urge you to take into consideration the hardships an increase in OAS eligibility would bring to many Canadians approaching retirement age.

 

Sincerely,

Original Signed

Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior

Comments

OAS

by Ron Armbruster on 16 Feb 2012 at about 19:29.

Is it just me, or is there not some irony in reading Mr. Atamanenko's comments on OAS reform when he stands to collect $46K in MP pension should he retire or get defeated in the next election (2015).  The number goes to over $60 if he stays on till 2019.  And, at age 65 (or 67), he stands to collect OAS!

Perhaps OAS reform can start with him and all others collecting a fat pension from us the taxpayers.....and I'm not just talking about MP's.

One more point.....where is it written that the change from 65 to 67 is actually taking place?  No laws have been passed to that effect, have they?  I would think this kind of change must first go through Pariliament, doesn't it Alex?  Seems to be nothing more than speculation at this point....or is it fear mongering?