Evidence of meeting #35 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was support.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
I think your question is rhetorical.
5:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
It was done under this government in 2016, I believe.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
5:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
It's the same.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
Right. Are there many other measures that impact the income security of seniors? I think we heard today from the minister that we haven't cracked the nut or solved the problem, and there's a lot more work to do. However, does this not show a history of really trying to tackle income insecurity on a national level for seniors across the country? Is that fair to say?
5:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
There have certainly been several initiatives in the last four or five years that have been focused on increasing the support system for seniors.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
In the fall economic statement, $1 billion was committed for the safe long-term care fund. What is that funding for?
5:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
I'm going to ask Alexis to speak to that.
5:40 p.m.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch and Policy Horizons Canada, Department of Employment and Social Development
The $1 billion will go to provincial governments to help with long-term care. However, it is funded through Health Canada, not through our department.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
5:40 p.m.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch and Policy Horizons Canada, Department of Employment and Social Development
Yes, those kinds of things. I don't have the specifics, but we're happy to provide anything to the committee. It is generally a Health Canada transfer.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
That's it for your time, Mr. Turnbull. Thank you so much.
Ms. Chabot, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.
5:40 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Studies have been conducted to inform the government's decision on the old age security (OAS). Have any studies been conducted on increasing this pension at age 65?
5:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
I can only speak to the decision that was made and the work that we have done with respect to people who are 75 and over.
5:40 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
No one asked you to conduct any study at all to find out what it might mean at 65. Is that correct?
You have a team that supports the most highly-placed elected officials, but you have not studied the possible scenarios either. Is that correct?
5:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
In the Speech from the Throne, the government made a commitment to people aged 75 and over. That commitment was part of Minister Schulte's mandate letter. That's what we have been working on.
5:40 p.m.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Do you have any statistics?
You talked a lot about distinctions between people who are 65 years old, some of whom are working. I don't have the exact figures in front of me. Are you aware that some of them are working because the OAS pension is not enough for them, and that sometimes, if they are able to work, they do so to make ends meet at the end of the month?
Having said that, I'm really trying to understand the situation. In our view, this is quite unique, because this program starts at a specific age. The government has rightly congratulated itself for restoring the age of eligibility for the program to 65.
Mr. Chair, I'm coming to the end of my two and a half minutes, so I will get right to the point.
Ms. Gibbons, how can you seriously justify, with numbers and data, excluding people between the ages of 65 and 74? If you don't want to include those who are 65 and over, we could look at 73 and over.
5:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
As I mentioned earlier, a number of different factors were considered in making the decision. In the end, the government chose to put forward an increase in payments for those aged 75 and over.
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Thank you, Ms. Chabot.
Finally, we have Ms. Gazan, with the last round of questions, for two and a half minutes.
5:45 p.m.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you so much, Chair.
Going back to what my colleague Madame Chabot said, I have concerns about how this decision was made. I think it would be helpful to the committee if you shared the actual research and data that was used to decide to withhold any increases to those under age 75.
Going back, will the proposed long-term care standards include standards for adequate pay for care workers?
5:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
The work on the standards is at an early stage, so I think it's too soon to know exactly what they will cover. The intention of the two groups doing the work is to cover both the built infrastructure as well as the processes and procedures that staff follow in providing care. Certainly, something like what the staff complement is for a certain number of seniors in a home is something—
5:45 p.m.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Just because I have one other question and I have such limited time....
I do think it's a good idea, considering the shortage of staffing, to look at making sure people have a livable wage to maybe encourage them to take that profession on.
5:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development
I have just one final point, if I could say it.
It's very important. The provinces, of course, are ultimately responsible for standards in care homes, so they will be—
5:45 p.m.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I have just one last question.
We know that the pandemic has been horrific in long-term care homes. I'm wondering if there are any supports that will be provided to seniors who have survived and have suffered, for example, and who, going forward, may be experiencing post-traumatic stress from their experience in long-term care.
Are there any supports that are planned for seniors?