Pension Blog: Liberals take a dig at Tories on OAS

To mark Seniors Day, Oct. 1, Liberal Pensions and Seniors critic Judy Sgro issued the following statement, repeating charges she previously made to FYI decrying the government decision to raise the eligibility age for Old Age Security:

"Canadians recognize that our country is the result of the hard work and determination of our seniors.

Working together they made universal health care a reality. They built the Canada Pension Plan, which is actuarially sound for the next 75 years. They fought in wars to defend our freedoms, and helped give us a Charter of Rights to protect those freedoms.

It is our seniors that have ensured that the next generation of Canadians will inherit a better nation, and now we have a responsibility to guarantee that they are able to live their lives with the comfort and dignity they deserve.

But thanks to this Conservative government, tomorrow's seniors are going to be worse off. Despite overwhelming evidence that Old Age Security is sustainable, Stephen Harper is raising the age of eligibility for the OAS from 65 to 67, making new seniors sacrifice up to $30,000 in benefits.

Our seniors deserve a government that will protect the benefits they have earned. On behalf of our Parliamentary Caucus and the Senior Liberals' Commission, I extend our steadfast commitment to continue fighting for seniors across Canada."