We're currently working with the Canada Revenue Agency on tax benefits and making sure that folks are receiving the benefits to which they are entitled. We assume that everyone in Canada is getting all the child benefits, the working income tax benefit, the OAS, for example. We are finding that this is not true, that there are people who are falling through the cracks.
We're just embarking on this initiative now, but we think that what it does is allow the conversation to happen with seniors, who are sometimes isolated. Once we figure out whether there is money that they are entitled to—that's the first step—are there other things, such as even having a conversation about the implication for their benefits of their going into the workforce? It opens the door to other conversations and to providing supports.
We recently met with some seniors. For them, isolation is a big factor, even just getting out, whether it's to paid or to volunteer work. Also it's supportive housing, not wanting to leave where they are or to leave the community in which they are, and sometimes they have to because there is no affordable housing in their community. Those are the things that compound the issues of income.
How do we provide the aging in place, allow people to get the supports they need where they are, in a place in which they feel safe and comfortable, and then make sure that, if there's money through the federal tax program that they should be getting, they are getting it?