Explanation of the Pension Legislation Demanded by the Bloc in Exchange for Not Voting Against the Liberals

September 26, 2024 TruthUSA

The Bloc Québécois insists that for the Liberals to secure its support in confidence votes, the government must pass two specific pieces of legislation by Oct. 29. These bills are Bill C-319, which aims to amend the Old Age Security Act, and Bill C-282, which focuses on supply management.

While the party had previously focused more on Bill C-319, both bills are private member’s bills.

Bill C-319 proposes to give individuals aged 65 to 74 the same 10 percent increase in Old Age Security (OAS) benefits that those aged 75 and over receive. The bill is currently in its third reading in the House of Commons.

Another key change proposed in the bill relates to the qualification threshold for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a benefit for low-income OAS recipients. The bill would increase the exemption for a senior’s employment or self-employment earnings from $5,000 to $6,500, affecting seniors across Canada and not just in Quebec.

The 2021 federal budget had already included a permanent 10 percent increase in OAS benefits for seniors aged 75 and older, which began in August 2022. This resulted in pensioners receiving the full OAS amount getting over $800 extra in the first year, as stated by the federal government.

The bill was introduced by Bloc MP Andréanne Larouche on March 8, 2023; however, private member’s bills typically do not become law.

When discussing the bill, Larouche highlighted that the OAS benefit increase would eliminate age discrimination among pensioners. She emphasized the need to support those willing and able to work while maintaining their GIS benefit.

If passed, the bill would incur a significant cost of $16.1 billion over five years, as detailed in a Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) report from May 2023.

Liberals Previously Voted Against Bill

During a debate, Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk cited demographic data and stated reasons for the Liberals voting against the bill.

In another instance, debating the legislation, NDP MP Gord Johns voiced support and proposed raising corporate taxes to cover the bill’s cost.

Conservative MP Tracy Gray also backed the bill, emphasizing support for seniors between 65 and 74 and criticizing the two-tiered system under the Liberal government.

Larouche of the Bloc reaffirmed the party’s stance, stating that no compromise would be accepted, and the Liberals would need to explain their decisions during the election if they do not comply.

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