Advocacy

Canadian Seniors Foundation Ltd got its start in an unusual way. This is a factual story heard first hand about how and why we found it so important to start this company.

Some time ago, a lady moved into our subsidized housing apartment. As it turned out, this Senior was married. But her husband did not live with her. He was in a different low-income rental building altogether! We found out why.

With every aspect of our lives, the Provincial and Federal governments control our pensions. Thus being low-income. The Federal government told the husband that about $300 each per month would be deducted from both of their pensions. Then, after calling Alberta Seniors Benefits, he was told $200 each would be clawed back from the pensions each month.

These strokes of the pen would total about $500 EACH from their low-income pensions. That would equal about 22.7% less money each and every month. Now imagine if 22.7% of your family's total gross income was deducted. I suspect you wouldn't make it. And neither would a couple who are low-income.

Generally, that leaves about $1,600 per month left to pay rent, food, medications and other incidentals.

It was found that other couples have experienced this situation too. The couple mentioned above even got divorced to avoid this deduction.

Now this got under our skin. Rather than sit around and complain, we decided to do something about it, so we started this company to advocate against this deduction of about $500 per person per month. We asked, when has it ever been cheaper to live as a couple? In subsidized housing, rent is still calculated at 30%! So you don't save money - ever!

Canada is deemed a benevolent country. You would think Governments would support Senior couples getting together - there are so many good reasons, from loneliness to health issues.

Also, we are left wondering what happens to the couple's happiness. It is disgusting when Governments force people to divorce and live apart during their Golden Years.

How can you say we are a wealthy country and do this to Low-Income Seniors?