March 2011 Parliamentary Report

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT

 

SENIORS FACT SHEET

I have heard false claims that 25% more seniors are struggling on low incomes than when our Government took office in 2006.   The facts say otherwise.  This is important because poverty is tragic. We all want to restore the dignity of those trying to move out of poverty!  Canada has one of the lowest poverty rates among seniors in the developed world at 5.8% (according to StatsCan).  Before our Government's election, the rate was much higher at 7.9%.

 

Canadian seniors are clearly benefitting from our decisive actions:

 

.         Removing 85,000 seniors from the tax rolls by raising tax-free earnings.

.         Raised the GIS exemption from $500 to $3,500. A single pensioner, for example, earning     $3,500 or more, now annually keeps up to $1,500 more benefits."

.         Introduced pension income-splitting.

.         Introduced automatic renewal of GIS without having to reapply annually.

.         Invested significantly in affordable housing for low-income seniors. Last November I attended the grand opening of Sunnyside Supportive Housing where 30 new units provide quality, affordable housing for Waterloo Region seniors.

.         Raised the age credit amount 58% from $4,066 to $6,408!

.         Doubled the pension income credit from $1,000 to $2,000.

.         Delivering quality pensions for Canadians, we are working with the provinces - who regulate over 90% of pensions in Canada - to introduce the landmark Pooled Registered Pension Plan.  The PRPP delivers well-regulated, low-cost pensions to millions of Canadians who've never before had a pension.

            .        Reforming the federally-regulated pension framework to better protect pensioners.

 

 

 

 

CBC

A constituent recently informed me of a quote from a Government Member suggesting that the Government wants to get out of broadcasting.  When I looked into it, I found that the Member wasn't even expressing an opinion about that.  He merely asked a witness what priority the Government should give in the next century to funding quality Canadian content over funding the broadcasting of content.  He even specifically told the witness it wasn't Government policy.

 

A few words were extracted out of context from a very lengthy question.

 

This is one of the most atrocious examples of fact manipulation I have seen, but not the only one.  It's worth checking facts when accusations are made against the Government in the highly partisan politics of Canada today.

 

 

ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN

 

This temporary, targeted and timely plan was designed to create jobs and economic growth during the worst global recession in over 60 years.  From July, 2009 to date we've delivered over 23,000 projects and more than 460,000 jobs have been created.  The Canadian economy has grown for the past five quarters.  Our economy has recovered more jobs than were lost.

 

We believe Canadians do not want an unnecessary election at this time, and we agree.  We want to keep our focus on jobs and economic growth.

 

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your voice in Ottawa.