FREDERICTON — Justin Trudeau is promising to do more to boost incomes for seniors, widows and widowers.
He says a re-elected Liberal government would increase old age security by an extra 10 per cent once a senior turns 75, and will boost the Canada Pension Plan survivor’s benefit by 25 per cent.
Trudeau made the announcement at a lawn bowling club in Fredericton, a riding the Liberals picked up in 2015 as part of their sweep of the Atlantic provinces.
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While the Liberals — and other parties — have been targeting young families in the early stages of this campaign, voters over the age of 65 are often those who most reliably show up at the polls.
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“Our parents have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to give us a good life,” Trudeau said.
“Once they get to retirement they shouldn’t have to worry about their savings running out.”
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Survivor benefits would see an increase of $2,080, while the increases to OAS mean $729 more for seniors each year. It would take effect in July 2020 and be indexed to keep up with inflation.
The Liberals say the increase to OAS will cost $1.63 billion in 2020-21, rising to $2.56 billion in 2023-24.
Trudeau is spending most of the day in New Brunswick before moving onto Nova Scotia for a campaign event this evening.
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