Address Gaps in Support for Seniors - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Speaker, my question is for the Premier. It's increasingly common to see signs like the one outside of the Tim Hortons in Bridgewater recently, which read, "Senior couple, age 74 and 71, living in van for 5 weeks, need apartment and help." I'll table that.
That's because seniors in Nova Scotia are facing the brunt of the rising cost of living. Nearly one in ten live in poverty. This is the highest ratio among people 65 and older. The poverty rate among those folks remains two-thirds higher in Nova Scotia than the national average.
Last week, the Premier said he is open to better ways to support seniors. When is he going to do more?
THE PREMIER « » : This is an important question. We know the struggles that Nova Scotians across the spectrum are facing - and really across the country and North America. The cost of living crisis is really causing people to suffer. There's no question about that. The housing issues are a concern for us. We're investing in housing. We're investing in seniors. Is there more work to be done? Of course there is. As long as there's a government, there'll be things for them to do in terms of investing in Nova Scotians. We'll continue to do that. We'll look for innovative ways to do that. I do encourage the members opposite. I know it's easy in Opposition to take a negative spin on everything, but there are people struggling, and we're trying to support those people.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : There is more to be done. In British Columbia, seniors receive an automatic payment of $99 a month on top of OAS and GIS. In Ontario, up to $83 a month, and that's going to increase next year. In the Yukon territory, seniors receive $288 a month. In Newfoundland and Labrador, seniors receive up to $505 a month. Here, seniors receive zero dollars a month automatically. They work their whole lives to contribute to our province.
When is the Premier going to make sure that Nova Scotia treats its seniors as well as every other province in this country?
THE PREMIER « » : In Nova Scotia, they have a Seniors Care Grant, which no other province has. It would be unfair - to use one word that comes to mind - to suggest that we on the government side are uninterested in the plight of our seniors. That is absolutely unfair to suggest that. That is why we will continue to invest in Nova Scotians each and every day. We will always want to do more, but we do what we can.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : So far, "what we can" is not enough. From a recent ad in the newspaper titled "Homeless on the Eastern Shore,": "Living accommodations desperately being sought in this area. I'm a retired senior on a pension and living in my old car as a home. Thus far, I have been unable to secure a small apartment or even a room to live in. If you know of anybody who can offer me a place to live, I would really appreciate hearing from you. I can pay a monthly rent in the range of $400 to $600 a month. If you can help in any way, please call me. Thank you." I'll table that ad.
Will the Premier please commit to closing the gap for seniors in Nova Scotia so that they can live with dignity?
THE PREMIER « » : We know the housing challenges that exist, for sure. That's why we have made the first investment that this province has made in 30 years - we made it under this government - in affordable housing. We know we have invested over $300 million in housing issues in general: to support seniors, to support those who are unhoused, who are living rough, for sure. One thing I would say to the member is that it is really important that existing affordable housing stock be reserved for those who truly need it. I would ask everyone in a leadership position to do their part to make sure that affordable housing stock is used only by those who truly need it.