Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, and well before, we've been saying that there's a critical need. This government promised to raise old age security by 10%. People are expecting that. We want higher pensions, be it the guaranteed income supplement or old age security.
As everyone knows, the pandemic means that seniors are in lockdown and can't be out and about. They can't even leave their homes. They are totally isolated. They have to call on outside services because they can no longer rely on their families, loved ones and friends for help.
Seniors have to buy things over the phone. Basic groceries such as bread, butter and flour are more expensive; flour is hard to find. People also have to pay delivery fees. Those are added costs they never had to cover before, added expenses.
We sincerely hope the government will take a close look at this and increase the guaranteed income supplement or old age security as announced last year.