Mr. Speaker, single persons between the ages of 60 and 74 are being discriminated against in that they are not eligible to a seniors benefit like their fellow citizens of the same age who receive spouse's allowances.
Such discrimination on the basis of marital status goes against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Minister of Human Resources Development argues that Canada cannot afford to make changes to its program to correct this injustice. But the minister must see reason and decide to implement fair and equitable measures.
Right now, he is hiding behind the new seniors benefit, which is not slated to take effect before the year 2001.
Our society must not put up with this kind of discrimination any longer.