Seniors
Statistics Canada estimates that about 19% of the Canadian population will be over 65 years of age by the year 2021. There will be more senior citizens than ever, which will have profound effects on Canadian society.
Here’s how the parties plan to deal with the shift.
Conservative:
Enhance the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors
Eliminate the mandatory retirement age for federal employees
Introducing a Family Caregiver tax credit, to help people taking care of infirm dependent relatives
Liberal:
Extend EI benefits from six weeks to six months of leave from work to take care of a gravely ill family member
Tax free family care benefit, worth up to $1350 per year
NDP:
Improve home care and make home care and long-term care insurable under the Canada Health Act
Extend loan program to allow families to renovate their homes so an aging relative can move in
Bloc Quebecois:
Improve the Guaranteed Income Supplement and automatically enrol all seniors in the program
Index Old Age Security pensions to the cost of living
Make progressive retirement a more viable option for those nearing the end of their career
Green:
End mandatory retirement and allow for flexible retirement benefits for seniors who wish to continue working
Develop a national home care policy
Increase CPP’s target income replacement rate from 25% to 50% of income received during working years
Guarantee the right for individuals to draw up a “living will”
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