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Seniors

During question period, Conservative members asked what the government would do to help seniors, saying rising costs for food, rent and gas mean twice as many people are working past 65, that many older Quebeckers worry about running out of money in retirement, and that government spending and taxes are making things harder. Liberal ministers replied that the government lowered the retirement age to 65, supports seniors through the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, and pointed to Canada’s economic standing and the dental plan, while saying they want to work with the opposition on seniors’ finances.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Bernard Généreux

Conservative
“Twice as many seniors cannot afford to retire because the cost of living keeps rising, while the government keeps spending money. What will the Prime Minister do to help seniors?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, after a lifetime of working, twice as many seniors can no longer afford to retire and have to keep working past age 65 just to make ends meet. That is alarming. The price of everything, including groceries, rent and gas, is going up. Many people now have to count every penny, even after a lifetime of work, and have to find a second career. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister continues to rack up charges on the nation’s limitless credit card. My question is simple. What does the Prime Minister intend to do to truly help our seniors?

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Anna Gainey

Liberal

Linked statement

“We lowered the retirement age, while the Conservatives wanted to raise it. We are also helping 12 million Canadians pay for food and essentials.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, as my colleague said, we lowered the retirement age. Those folks over there wanted to raise it to 65. We are there for seniors. We are there for all Canadians. We are also supporting them through the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will help 12 million Canadians who need it right now.

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Eric Lefebvre

Conservative
“Most older Quebeckers worry they will run out of money in retirement. Seniors cannot afford to live, and the government's high spending and taxes make it worse. Will the Prime Minister stop putting more debt on our seniors?”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 84 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “the Prime Minister's credit card bills”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, this is the sad reality: More than half of all Quebeckers aged 50 and older are worried about running out of money when they retire. That is what the newspaper Le Journal de Montréal reported this weekend. Our seniors are no longer making ends meet, but the Liberal solution is more debt, higher costs and more taxes. Canadians are the ones paying the Prime Minister’s credit card bills. Our seniors built our country, and this is how we thank them? My question is simple: Will the Prime Minister stop saddling our seniors with more debt, yes or no?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Canada's economy is doing well compared to other rich countries. Conservatives say they support seniors, but they voted against our dental plan. That plan helps over 32,000 people, including seniors, in the member's own riding.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 90 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “Maybe he should reconsider his values”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I see the member is all smiles. I must remind him that, according to the International Monetary Fund, Canada has the best fiscal position and the second-fastest growth in the G7. Now, it is always strange to see the Conservatives claim to be standing up for seniors when they have systematically voted against measures that directly help seniors. I will remind my colleague of one. There are 32,456 people in his riding, including many seniors, who benefit from the Canadian dental care plan, which he opposes. Maybe he should reconsider his values.

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Jacques Gourde

Conservative
“Government spending makes food prices rise faster than pensions. Seniors have to keep working just to pay for their homes. When will the Prime Minister start helping them?”

  • A repeated line

    “People are struggling to make ends meet.”

    Said 13 times by 10 members since April 27.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, according to an in-depth feature in Le Journal de Montréal, the Liberal government is letting seniors fall through the cracks. With all the spending on credit in the budget, food inflation is rising much faster than old age security benefits. As a result, seniors are being forced to work at age 68 to pay their mortgage. While seniors are struggling to make ends meet, the Prime Minister seems more interested in showing off his resumé around the world. When will the Prime Minister decide to get to work on helping Canadian seniors make ends meet?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“Our government supports seniors. We lowered the retirement age to 65, which the member voted against, and we are working to lower grocery costs. I want to work with him to help seniors with their money problems.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 29 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 32 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are there for seniors, in fact. That is why every time we release a new economic announcement, we are thinking about how we can protect them. We were in favour of lowering the retirement age to 65, but my colleague voted against that. Not only that, but we are there for seniors in various ways, including by fighting food inflation, because it goes without saying that seniors are also affected by food inflation. My colleague is very nice. We have a very good relationship, and I will be pleased to work with him to address our seniors’ financial woes.

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