Coronavirus outbreak: Trudeau government announces new financial supports for seniors

Seniors feeling the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will be able to get a one-time top-up to their Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments. Speaking to reporters outside Rideau cottage on Tuesday morning, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed his government’s $2.5-billion plan to give seniors eligible for the OAS pension a one-time, tax-free payment of $300, with an additional $200 going to those also eligible for the GIS. The government will also spend an extra $20 million on expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program that supports community-based projects for seniors and will temporarily extend GIS payments.