Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses as we study Bill C-319, an act to amend the Old Age Security Act.
Perhaps I can start with you, Mr. Janeiro.
Can I call you James? Okay. It's great to see you again.
I think what we're hearing here today is that obviously seniors are in dire straits. Basically, there are so many people in dire straits. Our seniors seem to be more on the vulnerable end of that position. Your testimony today was about primarily caregivers. I think a lot of us here who have aging parents—and those who are watching—know, and it hit home. I saw a lot of nods as you were giving your testimony.
This bill is saying to increase old age from $5,000 to $6,500 a year, which seems so minimal, I'll be honest with you, in a cost of living crisis, which you touched on. When have you ever seen inflation or a cost of living crisis be this bad in your time of working in this industry?