Thank you for the question.
It's a very important question. Over 30% of seniors aged 65 years and over receive the guaranteed income supplement. On average, they receive $20,000 or less per year.
Of course if that has an impact on calculations for the following year, it is taken into account. But what it means is an immediate decline in their income. Not only are these people vulnerable because of their low income, but any additional decrease in income means they will be living below the poverty line.
The bill is all very well, but it won't come into effect until July 2022, if everything goes according to schedule.
Since the implementation of the CERB, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the CRB and the various other measures since 2021, seniors will have had a decrease in their income and were penalized.
The problem has not been corrected and people are short of cash. This has repercussions, because they are no longer able to pay for their medicines and food. So it's safe to say that it also had an impact on their health. If it's not dealt with, this problem will generate other costs afterwards.