QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
Support for Seniors
September 24, 2024
Municipalities are not the only victims of the jurisdictional squabbles between Quebec and Ottawa. Since 2022, our seniors have been paying the price of a new legal dispute between the two levels of government. The Age Well at Home program was made available to community organizations in Quebec, even though the federal government hasn’t signed an agreement with Quebec. As a result of this unfortunate conflict, Le Chic Resto Pop cannot access the $670,000 it needs to feed 200 seniors in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
The same goes for the Centre communautaire l’Entraide Plus, which does odd jobs for seniors. The $568,000 it needs is still sitting in Ottawa’s coffers. Health and social services fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces. Why is the government making promises to Quebec’s seniors when it can’t deliver because it doesn’t have an agreement with Quebec?
Thank you for the question. I believe that, in the case of the Age Well at Home initiative, which offers seniors the opportunity to age with dignity wherever they choose to live, the Canadian government has provided funding so that community organizations can help seniors with things such as meal preparation, housekeeping and transportation. Unfortunately — it’s a real shame — I’ve been informed that the Quebec government has made it clear that it doesn’t want the funds to go to the organizations that do that kind of work for seniors. That was Quebec’s decision.
By opening up its program to Quebec organizations and dangling cheques in their faces despite not having come to an agreement with Quebec, the federal government is using Quebec seniors as political pawns. Does the Government Representative find it acceptable that our most isolated and fragile constituents should be taken hostage in this way?
Thank you for the question. Senator, the federal government has worked with provincial governments to support seniors. We want all seniors to age in the manner of their choosing.
The federal government believes that the Government of Quebec will change its mind and support Bill M-30, which will make it possible for those monies to be disbursed to community organizations in the province.
