Editor:
This year, the federal government has allocated more than $5 billion for foreign aid. Each year, as many as 150 countries will receive some sort of assistance, according to figures from the Canadian International Development Agency. It’s difficult for the average Canadian to understand how so much money can or should be distributed offshore, this at a time when the government seems to ignore some of the needs at home, especially regarding seniors.
But Canada is a wealthy country, and like similar countries we are expected to be a good world citizen and help poor and underdeveloped nations. Even so, the government has been cutting back on foreign aid at a rate of about 10 per cent for each of the past three years. It’s well below what is expected of Canada by the international foreign aid community. So it’s understandable that our government would feel pressure from the demands of the international community as well as from folks at home. Nevertheless, more attention is needed on Canadians – especially seniors who helped build our wonderful nation.
With foreign aid cutbacks, perhaps some of the monies freed up could be directed into seniors’ programs, not the least of which could be an increase in Old Age Security. A most disappointing (laughable?) reference to OAS is this item from the Internet: “As of January 1, 2016, the basic OAS pension will increase from $569.95 to $570.52 per month.” That’s 57 cents – $6.84 per year – and is nothing more than an insult.
It’s time to think big. How about pumping in about, say, $5 billion for starters, to make seniors’ lives a bit easier? Too many of them are barely getting by. I see it all the time. Ask anyone; they see it, too. Better still would be a guaranteed income for those seniors who especially need it, something that would take them above the more usual poverty line. It’s important to understand that many seniors, especially those who are paying rent, are experiencing another kind of guarantee: hardship and day-to-day deficiencies.
Ottawa, you should be ashamed of your niggling 57 cents. It’s time to show credibility and caring, with an OAS increase that will provide much needed help at home.
Dale Macdonald, Sechelt
