Thank you for the question.
The cost of living is higher for the older seniors. That's why the government is taking this approach regarding pension.
I have supported many people who are aging. I know that the older you get, the more requirements there are to stay at home.
This benefit was introduced during COVID, you may remember. It was very specifically about trying to support older adults to age at home. People need assistive devices. They often need specialized care, and they may need meal delivery and transportation support. This increase was meant to address the very specific costs that older people face as they age and to help support them to stay in place.
If you'll recall, one of the features of COVID was that the deaths were extremely high in long-term care—