
(I Stock Photo)
Seniors Tin Cup Members are gearing up for a rally in Kamloops in a bid to bring attention to low pensions.
The Seniors Pension Reform Rally is being held on the 700 block of Fortune Drive on the North Shore at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21.
One of the organizers, Diane Lee, says they hope to create awareness about the situation many seniors across the country are in, as many seniors live below the poverty line.
“According to the Government of Canada, the average monthly amount paid for a new retirement pension at age 65 is $713 for the OAS, and $758 for the CPP, so those who are collecting disability when they retire see the amount they were getting drop, once it switched over the CPP.”
That amount averages out to around $1,450 per month for a retired senior, with Lee noting the poverty line for Canadians averages out to around $2,104 per month.
“I doubt anyone in Parliament would be able to survive on roughly $1,450 a month. Rents alone uses’ up all of that, especially here in BC; this is the province with the highest cost of living. Minimum wage is over $30,000, if people can’t survive on that, how can a senior survive on much less?” Lee questioned.
With rising costs also having an impact, Lee says it’s left many seniors with few options, forcing them to make tough decisions.
“Buy food or go without prescriptions, pay rent or go without food, pay for heat and other utilities, go without other essential needs, pay for medical care and end up homeless. Some seniors are considering MAID (medical assistance in dying) to stop their financial suffering.”
Celeste Fummerton, who is also with the Seniors Tin Cup adds there needs to be changes to the pension system.
“The government says there is no money but if we have money to give free drugs to addicts, then why do we not have money to ensure that seniors are at least living and achieving the poverty level.”
Their hope, as Fummerton explains, is to get a lot of people out to the rally Thursday to help advocate for the cause.
“We are hoping that on Thursday, March 21 at 11 a.m. we get such a huge crowd to attend our rally. We need too big to be ignored.”
Seniors Tin Cup rallies are also being held in Terrace, Prince George, Vernon, White Rock, Vancouver, and Ladysmith.