Thank you.
As you rightly pointed out, the present OAS act does not draw any distinction between an immigrant and a citizen. My only thought at that time was that even if I am a citizen, from an immigrant I have become a citizen, and that differential treatment--I will not use the word “discriminatory”--still continues in the face of it. That's what needs to be rectified.
One thing I would like to read in 30 seconds is the motion from the City of Vancouver. Their council adopted this motion after the presentation. They clearly say--they are writing to the Prime Minister of the country--the following:
That Vancouver City Council request the Federal Government to ensure pension equality for all Canadian senior citizens, regardless of their country of origin and whether or not that country has a social services contract with Canada; further that this motion be forwarded to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for support.
That is the consideration going beyond the party line. We again beseech, implore, the ruling party to come up, because this bill will not proceed further unless it has royal assent, because it's a money matter. We know that. This is the opportunity for you to grab. If you want to make some amendments to it, bring them to her; Colleen will be open to hearing them. We'll be open to hearing them, but try to embrace it.