Manitoba seniors say cost of living, health care, U.S. tariffs among top concerns in this federal election
Federal parties have pledged higher income supplements, tax cuts for seniors, GST changes
From the cost of living to health care to sovereignty and tariff threats from the United States, Manitoba seniors are considering who will be the best person to lead Canada and address their concerns.
Some say they remain undecided.
That's what Cathleen Bergen said she's hearing from people at the Winkler Senior Centre, with many of the people she's heard sharing concerns like affordability and health care ahead of the April 28 election.
"There's so many issues right now, right? We're looking at cost of living. We're looking [at] housing," Bergen, the centre's resource co-ordinator, said last week.
CBC dropped by the centre in the rapidly growing city — which had a population of just under 14,000 in 2021, according to Statistics Canada — during biscuit and coffee hour last Wednesday.
Others, including retired farmer Wayne Penner, say the country's deficit, economy and relationship with the United States concern him, as does the rural health-care worker shortage.
"There's a big problem here right now," Penner said of the American tariffs.
"People are concerned [about] what is going to happen to the economy. I think that is very important, because I have grandkids that have young families and jobs."
Retired teacher John Klassen, 66, agrees that dealing with the U.S. is a big priority, but says affordability and health care are also pressing issues.
For Klassen, promises of help for low- and middle-income seniors haven't gone far enough in this federal election campaign.
He feels his age group is often overlooked when it comes to campaign commitments and funding, even though many seniors continue to contribute to society and volunteer into old age, he said.
Party promises for seniors
Among the pledges for seniors, Liberal Leader Mark Carney has said he'll increase the guaranteed income supplement by five per cent and lower the minimum amount that must be withdrawn from a registered retirement income fund by 25 per cent. Both the GIS and RRIF measures would only last for one year.
"That's just an election ploy. It doesn't really help in the long run," Klassen said, adding that the low interest rates in recent years haven't helped his retirement savings.
But he said the Conservatives' promise to let seniors contribute to registered retirement savings plans until they're 73, instead of 71, doesn't help him either.
"It's sad if [the] Canadian government can't, you know, support their seniors and at least give them the cost of living increase, and also find ways to keep them active and busy," he said.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said his party will also allow working seniors earning under $42,000 to make as much as $34,000 tax-free, and says his government would crack down on scammers targeting seniors.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has said his party would change the basic personal amount of untaxed income from $16,129 to $19,500, eliminate the GST on essentials — such as energy, internet and cellphone bills — and expand pharmacare.
Bergen said cutting drug costs, medical expenses and taxes for seniors would help with affordability.
"The biggest thing is the income that the seniors are actually getting under Old Age Security and the guaranteed income supplement. I think that's a huge piece for them," she said.
"A lot of the older adults, at least in our area, mothers were at home working. They don't get much for CPP [Canada Pension Plan], and then oftentimes they were farming families, so then there wasn't a lot of Canada pension then either."
'It's a tough call'
Whether in the traditionally Conservative riding of Portage-Lisgar — which includes Winkler — or ridings in Winnipeg, some seniors told CBC they haven't yet decided for whom they'll cast their ballot.
"This is a really tough election as far as which way to go," said Brian Will, who lives in Winnipeg.
He's unhappy with Carney's cabinet appointments, which he says are too similar to those of his predecessor, Justin Trudeau.
But Will is weighing that against Poilievre's ideas, "when you don't necessarily agree with all of the things that he is saying."
"It's a tough call," said Will.
Winkler's Jake Giesbrecht, 83, has had a heart transplant, and said health care is among his top priorities, although U.S. President Donald Trump's actions have changed how he sees this Canadian election.
"I have always been a Conservative, but I sort of like to change my mind this year. I think Carney is the one," said Giesbrecht.
Klassen isn't sure how he'll vote either, "but I think Wab Kinew should run for prime minister," he said, referring to Manitoba's NDP premier.
He says one thing's for sure, though: "It's going to be an interesting election."
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