“The government changed the rules for senior programs, and groups do not have enough time to register as businesses. I want the government to delay these changes.”

“Mr. Speaker, changes to the New Horizons for Seniors program are threatening hundreds of community projects. Organizations have barely a month to register as a business, obtain a registration number and then submit their projects. Otherwise, they will be disqualified. Yesterday, the Secretary of State for Seniors responded to this concern by telling them to figure it out themselves, that there is still plenty of time. For these volunteers who have no resources, July 14 may as well be tomorrow. Will the government delay its changes instead of treating our community organizations with contempt?”

“I want the minister to delay this change. Volunteers who help seniors need more time to register so small groups are not left out.”

“Mr. Speaker, anyone who has ever dealt with the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada knows that it is never that straightforward. We are talking about volunteers who take care of seniors, not experts on red tape. All the minister is being asked to do is to postpone her reform until the organizations that are eligible to register have a chance to do so, with enough time to ensure that the smallest local organizations that cannot register are not unfairly disqualified. Is it too much to ask that a little empathy be shown for our volunteers?”

“The government is rushing changes to a grant program for seniors. This hurts projects that help seniors stay active and social, and it treats volunteers like criminals. I want the government to delay these changes.”

“Mr. Speaker, this government is showing a lack of empathy for seniors and community organizations with its hasty reform of the New Horizons for Seniors program. Its attitude is jeopardizing hundreds of projects that break seniors’ isolation and encourage them to have an active social life. The federal government should be thanking the volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to these projects, not treating them like potential fraudsters. All these organizations want is for the government to delay its reform to ensure that seniors are not left behind. Will the government delay the reform?”