(Originally published on CASTANET.net)
The Senior Tin Cup is planning more province-wide demonstrations to help improve seniors’ quality of life.
“We need the pensions raised,” said Carole Fawcett provincial organizer with Seniors Tin Cup.
“People cannot be living below the poverty line.”
In Canada, that line is $25,000 – an amount that Fawcett has said she still sits below even after collecting Canada Pension, Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
The organization has already had three demonstrations in 2024 and many feel that change is not coming fast enough.
“We need to get more healthcare in this province. We need eye examinations, hearing aids, we need all of that.”
The lack of affordable housing and public transportation are other main concerns for Vernon residents. Along with these issues, senior advocate groups are looking for senior centres to receive more funding.
“These are programs and centres in many towns and cities across this province,” said Leslie Gaudette, president of Senior Citizens Organizations of BC.
“They provide a lot of value to seniors’ lives from activities to information about government programs.”
In the recently released Poverty Reduction Strategy, the provincial government says it aims to cut seniors’ poverty in half by 2026. But Fawcett is unsure if this goal can be reached.
“Well let’s hope so, there has always been a whole lot of talk and not much action.”
Senior Tin Cup will be protesting in front of MP Mel Arnold’s office at 11 a.m. on Oct, 5.