22 October 2009
Miller Demands Fairness for Seniors
Minister for Seniors dodges question about impact of Fall Economic Statement

QUEEN'S PARK—MPP Paul Miller, NDP Seniors Issues Critic, asked the McGuinty Liberals, in advance of today’s economic statement, “What additional cuts, costs and loss of service will seniors suffer after 3 o’clock?”

Miller expressed his surprise when MPP Aileen Carroll, the Minister Responsible for Seniors Issues, referred the question to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The Health Minister avoided responding to the question, instead referring to a question asked of her earlier in the morning.

Miller again tried to extract a response to his concerns for seniors in Ontario: “This government has already refused to legislate bathing and personal care standards in long-term care homes. It has privatized many health, residential and other seniors’ services; the basics that seniors need to live a comfortable, affordable, dignified life. On top of all this, this government’s planning to impose the dreaded and dreadful HST which many retired persons have calculated will cost them significantly more every year from now on. When will this minister and the government finally put the financial and health needs and the dignity of seniors at the top of their priority list?”

“Many seniors are living near or below the poverty line, they already have many financial challenges but this Liberal Government is set on a course of action that will significantly lower even this appalling standard of living,” said a worried Miller.

“The McGuinty Liberals record on the Seniors file is abysmal, it’s time for them to get up to speed on seniors’ issues, stop the damaging fees, legislate more services and personal care standards and stop the ill-advised tax shift which will burden our vulnerable seniors”, he said.

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (416) 325-0707

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