Mr. Speaker, the World Peace Forum, held this past summer in Vancouver, called for the elimination of the 10 year residence requirement for old age security benefits.
Forum participants expressed concern that seniors from some countries have to wait for 10 years before they are entitled to receive OAS benefits. The forum passed a resolution advocating for equal access to services such as health care and pensions for all Canadians, regardless of race or country of origin.
I call upon the Government of Canada to take an in-depth look at the income situations of some elderly immigrants and their families in Canada.
Finally, I would strongly urge the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development to review the latest rulings by the courts on this subject.