Thank you for your question.
You raise an interesting point. As our president mentioned in her opening statement, the increase should have happened in March 2020 because the additional OAS income would have brought people a lot of relief.
First of all, age is being used in a discriminatory way. Consequently, the measure discriminates on the basis of age, not income. The measures are supposed to help people with lower incomes, but people with incomes up to $70,000-plus can draw on old age security, so the increase will also apply to people who don't need it.
Second, if the government is going to increase OAS, the measure should apply to all those eligible for OAS, in other words, those 65 and over, not on a discriminatory basis, as is currently the case. The argument is that seniors 75 and over need more money and more care, and we don't dispute that. However, those between the ages of 65 and 74 are also very much in need financially. The GIS provides financial support to the poorest seniors, not those with a $70,000 income who don't need the help.
The money needs to go to the right place to really help those who need it. Since there isn't a lot of money to go around, the government should focus on those who need it.