Watch Above: South Okanagan – West Kootenay candidates share how they will tackle issues affecting seniors.
PENTICTON — It’s down to the wire as South Okanagan-West Kootenay candidates try to woo voters. The riding is home to a large senior’s population and each party has a platform that will address issues affecting seniors.
“Seniors need housing that’s appropriate, affordable and available. Most seniors want to stay independent and live at home for as long as they can,” says NDP candidate Richard Cannings.
Cannings says his party will protect pension income splitting, halt the proposed age eligibility for old age security and add $4 million to guaranteed income supplement.
The Liberals say they will fatten up the income supplement for seniors by 10 per cent.
“Many of them want to stay at home and they just don’t have the money and resources to do that, so we’re going to be investing $3-billion over the next four years in home supports for seniors,” says candidate Connie Denesiuk.
The Green Party wants to create a national seniors strategy that supports expanding the Canadian Pension Plan.
“We really need to come up with a strategy and a dialogue and have our seniors feel like they’re very active participants in helping to make their own choices,” says candidate Samantha Troy.
All three parties say their parties want to renew the health accord, bringing provinces and territories together to negotiate funding.
Global News contacted Conservative candidate Marshall Neufeld two days in advance of this story, but his campaign manager says he is not available and didn’t provide a reason.
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