Debates of April 30th, 2012
House of Commons Hansard #113 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was food.
Topics
- Question Period
- Search and Rescue
- Business of Supply
- Ted Rogers School of Management
- Rail Service
- Khalsa Day Parade
- Volunteerism
- Agriculture
- 21st Québec Entrepreneurship Contest—South West Division
- Red Road Lodge
- Queen's Day
- Marie-Sol Saint-Onge
- Nairobi
- Weston Collegiate Institute
- Rail Safety Week
- Not Myself Today Campaign
- New Democratic Party of Canada
- Decorum in the House
- Public Sector Unions
- National Defence
- Ethics
- National Defence
- The Budget
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Regional Economic Development
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Natural Resources
- International Co-operation
- Seniors
- Homelessness
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Fisheries and Oceans
- Foreign Affairs
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Government Priorities
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Telecommunications
- Immigration
- Agriculture
- Official Languages
- The Environment
- Privilege
- Government Response to Petitions
- Interparliamentary Delegations
- Committees of the House
- Petitions
- Questions on the Order Paper
- Questions Passed as Orders for Returns
- Privilege
- Business of Supply
- Pensions
Pensions
Adjournment Motion
7:20 p.m.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen London—Fanshawe, ON
Mr. Speaker, this has nothing to do with common sense. This is about undermining our social safety net. This is about pitting one generation against another. Yes, there will be more seniors. We have known that for 40 years. What has been done? Nothing. The Conservatives have undermined health care, affordable housing and now they are undermining the old age security system.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer made it very clear. Yes, it will cost more but as we have an increased number of seniors we will also see an increase in our gross domestic product. Right now it costs 2.3% of GDP to support seniors. By 2030, it will be 3.3%, about the same as in the 1990s. By 2030, it will begin to decline right back down to where it is now, with a further decline to 1.4%.
This has nothing to do with supporting seniors of the future. It has everything to do with the fact that the government does not believe in being government, it does not believe in our social safety net and it does not believe in Canadians.
Pensions
Adjournment Motion
7:20 p.m.
Conservative
Candice Bergen Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, that was a little extreme but thankfully Canadians have elected a strong, stable Conservative majority government because of our economic track record and because they trust us to take care of the economy of the country. After hearing that tirade, I think it is very obvious why.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to the Chief Actuary, the number of basic OAS recipients is expected to almost double over the next 20 years. According to the opposition, who will pay for that? I guess the opposition members think that money will appear out of thin air. This will change and this change will affect the ratio of workers to retirees increasing the burden on working Canadians to an unsustainable level.
Again, sticking one's head in the sand and denying the facts will not make them go away. Sadly, the opposition refuses to acknowledge the realities of our aging population and instead is playing political games.
In 2023, which is 11 years from now, we will gradually raise the age of OAS eligibility from 65 years of age to 67 years of age. We are making these changes to ensure the sustainability of the program for future generations of Canadians.
Pensions
Adjournment Motion
7:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Speaker Bruce Stanton
The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).
(The House adjourned at 7:23 p.m.)