Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now seniors have to wait for two separate cheques. They have to wait for old age security and the senior citizens' supplementary benefit. One benefit is a federal benefit. The other is a territorial government benefit. Today, both governments are sending out cheques on a monthly basis. One reason for combining the cheques is to reduce the stress on those seniors who would wonder when the second cheque was going to show up. Both payments would show up at the same time, if they choose a combined cheque. If they choose direct deposit, they would appear in their bank account on the same day every month. Another reason, Mr. Speaker, is that we would save a considerable amount of money on postage, envelopes and handling. Instead of sending out two cheques to each recipient, we would only have to send out one. Obviously, the more we can keep down the costs of administration, the more money we have to put into other programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Charles Dent on Question 624-13(5): Lump Sum Payments For Seniors
In the Legislative Assembly on June 3rd, 1998. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 624-13(5): Lump Sum Payments For Seniors
Question 624-13(5): Lump Sum Payments For Seniors
Item 6: Oral Questions
June 2nd, 1998
Page 1582
See context to find out what was said next.