Who Has Worked for Five Decades in Canada Shares Concerns Over Rebate Exclusion
Carol Sheaves, a 67-year-old retiree from Moncton, New Brunswick, has spent over 50 years contributing to Canada’s economy, and she is frustrated that the government’s newly proposed $250 rebate cheques won’t benefit seniors like her. Sheaves, who considers the rebate “a freaking joke” in light of skyrocketing costs, believes that those who have worked and paid taxes for decades deserve to receive this relief too.
“I’ve paid dues, taxes, whatever, since I was about 17 years old. That’s a long time to pay taxes to help out the economy in this country,” Sheaves said in a video interview. Having worked administrative jobs and owned businesses alongside her husband, Frank, Sheaves feels entitled to more than just the small benefits that the government offers to seniors.
Rising Costs Prompt Calls for Broader Relief
Since selling their home in Newfoundland in 2021, Sheaves and her husband have faced rising rent prices and the increasing costs of daily necessities. While they receive Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits, as well as income from investments, the $250 rebate will not significantly ease their financial challenges. “When we retired, we figured we had sufficient funds to help with retirement, but everything has gone up,” Sheaves explains.
The Canadian government announced a temporary GST/HST break and a $250 rebate for Canadians earning less than $150,000 in 2023, but retirees like Sheaves are excluded from this plan. “We worked all our lives, and I think we’re entitled to that and more,” Sheaves argues.
Advocacy for Retirees and the Working Canadians Rebate
CanAge, a seniors’ advocacy group, is pushing for the government to extend the rebate to retirees. CEO Laura Tamblyn Watts says her organization is receiving numerous complaints from seniors who feel forgotten as they struggle with rising costs. “Our members are reaching out to us in record numbers. They are furious,” she said.
While the government has defended the policy by stating that it targets working Canadians, Sheaves and many other retirees feel their contributions have been overlooked.
Government’s Response to Senior Exclusion
In response to concerns, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained that the rebate was designed to help those still in the workforce. However, Katherine Cuplinskas, a spokesperson for Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, noted that seniors could qualify if they had worked or contributed to the CPP. Despite this, many seniors, including Sheaves, continue to feel that they are being unfairly excluded from this relief measure.
The government has pointed to other initiatives aimed at supporting seniors, such as increases to OAS and GIS benefits since 2015. Yet, the timing and scope of these measures leave many retirees questioning their adequacy, especially as inflation continues to impact the cost of living.
Seniors Express Concern for the Future
Seniors like Sheaves and others such as Pamela Dudas, a 67-year-old former accountant from Vancouver, are feeling the financial strain despite having planned for retirement. Dudas, who is eligible for the rebate as she worked last year, still struggles to make ends meet on her government pension of about $26,000 annually. Many seniors are in a similar position, living on fixed incomes and facing rising housing and living costs.
“It’s getting harder and harder for a person to survive,” Sheaves said, voicing concerns not only for herself but also for younger generations who are struggling with high unemployment rates and unaffordable living costs.
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The Future of Canada’s Tax Relief Plans
As the debate continues, the government emphasizes that the broader benefits of the rebate will help entire families, including seniors, by easing the financial burden. However, for many retirees who are feeling excluded from these relief measures, the question remains whether these initiatives will be enough to support the aging population through these tough economic times.
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