Seniors' advocate says elderly are struggling and deserve $250 federal rebate cheque

Newfoundland and Labrador's seniors' advocate is joining her colleagues across the country in urging the federal government to expand on the promised $250 rebate cheques to include seniors.

Susan Walsh says seniors are a demographic who are struggling, especially in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Last month the federal government proposed a plan to issue $250 cheques to the 18.7 million people in Canada who worked in 2023 and earned $150,000 or less.

"It's my opinion that anytime that government, at any level, is using money that has been provided to them by tax payers to help deal with a cost of living crisis measure … it should address those who are most struggling," Walsh told CBC News.

Seniors' advocates across the country signed a joint letter, dated Dec. 2, asking that seniors be included in that federal program.

Walsh says she's hopeful  the government will listen to their collective voices and make the change.

"For no other reason, certainly, seniors make up a large proportion of this country and they are the voters in this country," she said. "So I think it should make people have some pause for thought."

Seniors are the fastest growing segment of food bank users in Canada, said Walsh, and a Statistics Canada report from 2022 found that seniors living in Newfoundland and Labrador have the lowest median income in Canada at just $27,800. The national median income is $33,350.

"They're struggling on incomes that are not keeping up with the pace of inflation, and as a consequence … they are struggling with trying to pay their bills," Walsh said.

Other options to help seniors

Governments have other options at their disposal to help alleviate the rising cost of living for those who are struggling the most, Walsh says.

Old age security was increased by 10 per cent for those over the age of 75, for example.

Walsh says she believes that's a better move rather than a one-time payment of $250, but would like to see the minimum age drop to 65 years old.

"That would be a much better policy approach to putting money in the pockets of seniors who need it," she said.

"At least if you're going to make a one-time payment, for heaven's sake, target those who need it most."

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