Assembly Vote
17th Assembly, 2nd SessionFebruary 17, 2012
Motion Sponsor
Topic
Motion Text
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS seniors are valued and respected members of our communities who have contributed throughout their lives and deserve our support;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has announced its intent to reform the Old Age Security system;
AND WHEREAS reductions to Old Age Security benefits and/or increasing the age of eligibility would negatively impact future NWT seniors;
AND WHEREAS poverty, the lack of jobs and employer-sponsored pensions, and low incomes already impact many seniors in the Northwest Territories, creating the need for the GNWT’s current Senior Citizens Supplementary Benefit Program;
AND WHEREAS reductions to Old Age Security would put pressure on the GNWT to replace those benefits, putting additional strain on our government’s ability to deliver social programs;
AND WHEREAS research by the Parliamentary Budget Office shows that the current Old Age Security system is affordable and sustainable over the long term;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that this Legislative Assembly opposes any reductions to Canada’s Old Age Security benefits;
AND FURTHER, that this Legislative Assembly recommends the Premier of the Northwest Territories champion this issue to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to ensure that Old Age Security benefits are not reduced for current or future NWT seniors;
AND FURTHERMORE, that the government provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.