Seniors’ years not so golden

By GERRY MARTINIUK, GUEST COLUMN
Cambridge Times
Jun 18, 2009

June is Seniors’ Month in the province of Ontario. It is a time to pay tribute to our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and neighbours, and enforce the message that seniors have the right to live with dignity, honour and respect.

As Seniors’ Critic for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, it is important to me that the needs of seniors are met. Sadly, in my opinion, the present government has abandoned our seniors.

The latest hit levelled at our seniors by this government is the new sales tax. Ontario seniors will be among the hardest hit residents of Ontario by this tax grab. According to a report by Wernham Wealth Management, a retired couple earning an after-tax income of $41,000 will face a tax increase of $1,500 a year when purchasing items such as heating oil, Internet services, haircuts and coffee.

On June 3, 2009, in the Ontario Legislature, on behalf of all seniors in this province, I said: “Mr. McGuinty should be making life easier for our seniors, not bullying his way into their pocketbooks and diminishing their golden years.”

With more than 25,000 Ontario residents on a waiting list for longterm care beds, it concerns me that without a plan this problem will spiral out of control. Ontario is currently home to 1.6 million seniors. What’s going to happen in 2028 when the number of seniors in Ontario doubles?

The problem with our longterm care facilities is not only a shortage of beds, but also a shortage of qualified staff and other resources. Long-term care homes in Ontario have pleaded for funding to provide residents with three hours of daily personal care. These pleas have been ignored and, as a result, the care of residents suffers.

I have heard many horror stories about residents lying in their own waste for hours, while others don’t receive meals until well after the usual mealtime. And it gets worse.

The $3.5-billion provincial bailout of the GM pension plan is going to cost the average family more than $1,000. This bailout money will go to former employees and will not save one job. The bailout will be used for a small, select group in our province, without similar assistance being offered to thousands of other private pension holders whose pensions are also underfunded and failing.

And there’s been absolutely no thought given to help the nearly 70 per cent of our seniors who are without a private pension plan and whose minimal savings have been ravaged by the recession.

As we celebrate Seniors’ Month we must turn our attention to our seniors’ needs and take action to ensure their golden years are indeed golden.