The Seniors Tin Cup

Homelessness and the “Hidden” Homeless It may sound fun at first, to live in your RV or van. But when this becomes a choice between being able to pay rent and still have enough funds to buy food, medications, etc, by giving up your home to live more inexpensively full time in your recreational vehicle, if you are lucky, or car, or truck, if less lucky, then it becomes a different matter. Worst case scenario is living on the streets. We have met these seniors who have had to make this choice at many of our rallies. Homelessness or Unhoused Statistics A disproportionate number of both senior men and women are…

Seamus O’Regan has stepped down from this post, and Steven MacKinnon has been newly appointed as the Minister for Labour and Seniors. We do not know very much about him, as yet, however the Prime Minister’s website has posted his biography and we have made it available here. We will keep you posted when more information becomes available. Link to the CTV Video here to hear Mr. MacKinnon’s initial statements. Link to CPAC full video (27 minutes) of swearing in ceremony and interview (some parts are not translated)… You can contact the Minister directly via email to voice your concerns about seniors pensions and other seniors issues at this email…

We’ve condensed the most recent data report available from November 2023 StatsCan regarding Housing for Seniors living in Poverty. Housing is a Human Right In 2019, Parliament passed the National Housing Strategy Act. The Act recognizes housing as a human right, and commits organizations and governments to reform housing laws, policies and programs from a human rights perspective; and to involve communities in meaningful ways. The Act calls for the “progressive realization” of the right to housing. This means Canada must set specific timelines and goals in its housing strategy that make tangible progress towards the right to housing. It also means Canada must prioritize the most vulnerable groups and…

Article by Carole Fawcett Are you feeling angry? I would bet that most low-income seniors across this country of ours are also angry.  As I stated before, this Boomer is angry. The federal budget left out seniors, (AGAIN!!!) and those with disabilities were left out, with extra money ending at age 64.  Do they really think that people can live on OAS, GIS and CPP with any dignity?  Do they think it is possible to enjoy even a marginal quality of life when you have less than the national poverty line?  Really?  It truly boggles the mind. The last increase of any significance was in 2016 and at that time,…

BC Seniors: Falling Further Behind This Report was originally Posted on September 22, 2022 Link to the OSABC website In this report, Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie details the results of a systemic review of the impact of rising costs on B.C. seniors who depend on government pensions and ranks B.C. as the lowest in its financial support for seniors compared to other provinces and territories. The report examines the incomes and expenses of seniors across a broad socio-economic landscape and assesses the effectiveness of government supports, services and subsidies. The report includes findings from a spring 2022 survey of low-income seniors and a consultation with 82 community agencies. Highlights: Recommendations:…

Why B.C.’s rent subsidy program for low-income seniors is flawed: Advocates A Postmedia News review of a decade of B.C. Housing reports found that tens of millions of dollars in provincial rent subsidies haven’t been spent Vancouver Sun: Nathan Griffiths Published Feb 20, 2024  •  Last updated Feb 20, 2024  Find out the facts in the 2022 study by the Office of the Seniors Advocate British Columbia Burnaby’s Jing Lei Xiang is facing eviction this year because the Metrotown building she lives in, which houses a number of lower-income seniors, is being demolished. It’s the second time in two years that Xiang, 70, a cancer survivor who spent years working in B.C.’s long-term care…

B.C. increases monthly rent supplements for low-income seniors, offers one-time top up B.C. seniors who qualify for the government’s rental assistance program will get a one-time top up of $430 plus an additional $110 a month in subsidies. Amid concerns from seniors that the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program hasn’t kept up with rising rents, B.C. is boosting the monthly rent supplement and allowing more seniors to qualify. However, one rental advocate said without meaningful action by the B.C. NDP to rein in out of control rent, the subsidies amount to a “game of catch-up that the government loses every time.” Seniors who qualify for SAFER will get…