Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's speech was very well done and clearly presented. I have a question and perhaps a comment.
I understand from the throne speech that the government is telling us that seniors are now a priority. It has never really seemed like that and certainly all the seniors I speak to in my riding have a hard time seeing that.
Today I understand that there are intentions to raise the guaranteed income supplement. That is a good thing, I think, but my question is, what are the criteria? How does the government decide, both for the amount of the old age pension itself and then for the supplement? How does the government pick this number?
Seniors have been asking me that over the years. I have never known for sure just what the government bases this on. Is there is some sort of basket of goods that they are supposed to be able to buy for this? Most seniors still seem pretty poor to me.
The second question relates to seniors and their benefits and also to people on disability. This might be outside the realm here, but what really bothers me is these people who live right on the edge of being able to survive, have a hard time putting money aside for income tax, and then at the end of the year owe income tax. It might be only $200 or $400, but when people have no disposable income, how are they supposed to pay this?