As part of their demands in order to support the government, the Bloc Québécois have been making enriching pensions one of their main demands, and the government has (rightfully) been pushing back, and I’m not sure that everyone understands the issue. Certainly, there are columnists who have missed the details of this, which are actually long-standing, and think that there is enough fuzziness that the government can negotiate around it. No. This has been a specific Bloc demand since the Liberals first put in the policy of enriching OAS for seniors over the age of 75, because those seniors have greater needs and many have depleted their savings. The Bloc even have a private member’s bill that they are currently debating, but naturally this bill is out of order because PMBs can’t spend money, and that’s exactly what this bill is directing them to do. So, they are very specifically demanding a royal recommendation for this bill in order for it to actually be in order, voteable, and that it can do what they want.
It’s not going to happen. It shouldn’t happen, because the whole rationale is off. But they’re going to make life uncomfortable for the government soon enough if they don’t get their way, which is why this issue has taken over the spotlight over the past week.
Here’s Tyler Meredith to explain the proposal and the financial costs, and why it’s not something the government wants to sign onto.
https://twitter.com/tylermeredith/status/1836962451264327962
3/
The increase in expenses since 2014 is explained principally by
1️⃣ Larger older cohorts (hi boomers)
2️⃣ Policy changes like a boost to GIS in 2016
3️⃣ 2022 change which added a 10% boost to OAS payments for people as of age 75 onward
But let’s break down how it works first pic.twitter.com/qqxjQVvv6C
— Tyler Meredith (@tylermeredith) September 20, 2024
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If you’re 75 or older your OAS increases by an additional 10%.
So the OAS amount is then $790.16.
This was introduced in 2022 as a commitment form @liberal_party in 2019.
The BQ request is over the contention that seniors from 65-75 should all be treated the same. pic.twitter.com/l7p0Vc3YFQ
— Tyler Meredith (@tylermeredith) September 20, 2024
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To quote their paper: “[The incidence of GIS usage] rises steeply once individuals are in their mid-70s, reaching a value of 42.3% when they are in their early 80s”.
So think of this boost – which goes to all – as insurance against the rising cost of care, like LTC. pic.twitter.com/ZYYwqVslOn
— Tyler Meredith (@tylermeredith) September 20, 2024
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To read the paper in question (someone should update it!): pic.twitter.com/AX2CFXLKyN
— Tyler Meredith (@tylermeredith) September 20, 2024
Ukraine Dispatch
Russians made three strikes on Kharkiv, injuring 15. Residents of Kyiv are being told to stay indoors because of smoke from nearby fires. Ukraine has banned officials using the Telegram app because they fear that Russians can access their conversations. President Zelenskyy says that top officials have discussed and come to an agreement around the need for more domestic arms production on faster timelines.
We had a fairly long and substantive one-on-one conversation during which we discussed all key issues. We also held discussions in a delegation format.
It is critically important to fully utilize the funds from the European Peace Facility and the Ukraine Assistance Fund for the… pic.twitter.com/M0yppus8KL
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 20, 2024
⚡️UPDATE: Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih kills 3, including child.
A 12-year-old boy was killed in the attack, regional Governor Serhii Lysak said. The strike also killed two women, aged 75 and 79.https://t.co/Q6NRNeiNJY
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) September 21, 2024
Good reads:
- MPs are talking about being shoved and screamed at by the Asshole Brigade on Wellington St. (I can vouch for the fact that they scream “Traitor!” at you).
- Mélanie Joly says that there are about 45,000 Canadians in Lebanon, and she has been urging them to leave, as the exploding pager situation heralds more to come.
- Joly hosted a meeting with other women foreign ministers in Toronto, calling for the next UN secretary-general to be a woman, along with other global leadership roles.
- Ahmed Hussen announced $151 million for polio eradication globally, which is back on the radar after it has emerged in Gaza during the war there.
- Randy Boissonnault admitted he talked to his former business partner in 2022…about a call he got from Purolator because his name was still on the account.
- Unsurprisingly, the post-secondary sector is warning of “unintended consequences” with the further restrictions on student visas (never mind the abuses in the system).
- Government MPs on the foreign affairs committee presented a motion about debating the path to Palestinian statehood, and Conservatives filibustered.
- The Liberal Party’s National Director testified at the Foreign Interference Inquiry that he didn’t read the NSICOP report around Han Dong’s nomination.
- Stephanie Carvin puts context around what we know about Russians using far-right influencers, including two Canadians, and what those operations are really about.
- Justin Ling talks to the filmmaker behind the controversial Russians at War film.
Odds and ends:
It's up to the party leaders to handle this issue. Whether they want to is another matter. https://t.co/0dNergneX0
— Philippe Lagassé (@LagasseSubstack) September 20, 2024
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