Tackling seniors issues a priority for all parties

REGINA – Seniors issues were the subject of discussion at a forum organized by the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism.

“It’s important that we have a government that has a seniors strategy of some sort, some kind of plan,” Holly Schick, executive director of the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism, said.

Saskatchewan Party Weyburn-Big Muddy candidate, Dustin Duncan, defended his party’s record on seniors issues, stressing that they have remained a priority since gaining power.

“We’ve worked hard and invested well over $300 million to build new long term care facilities in the province,” Duncan said.

The NDP says it’s not just building facilities, but filling them with staff that’s important.

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In the official party platform released today, the party said it will spend around $106 million for additional front line health care staff, which includes care aides in seniors care homes.

“Once long term care is engaged we need to see better regulation and staffing standards and making sure the care is there when it’s needed,” Warren McCall, NDP candidate for Regina-Elphinstone Centre, said.

Representatives had different ideas on how to keep older residents independent as they age.

“Government has a position that they have to be able to provide an affordable system.” – Darrin Lamoureux, Liberal leader

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The Saskatchewan Liberals have a plan would give seniors alternative housing by offering incentives like mortgage financing and subsidies to private companies who make their units available to seniors. The buildings would have to integrate some health services like a 24-hour RN nursing station and fitness centre to be eligible.

The Green Party is pushing for the creation of a Seniors Advocate, which is an independent advisor on senior issues for the province, and even a separate ministry for seniors issues.

Duncan says the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) has tripled since 2007 to $270 per month. The NDP says they will boost the SIP further by adding an additional $50 per month.

People aged 65 and older make up roughly 15 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population.