QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Cost of Living
May 28, 2024
Leader, last week I asked you about seniors struggling to afford housing in British Columbia. The Seniors’ Advocate of Newfoundland and Labrador says seniors in that province also reported experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives, as they can’t afford the high cost of rent. The report also stated one third of seniors in that province cannot afford the necessities of life — not just rent but food as well. This is a sad reality of life for seniors all across our country after nine years of the Trudeau government.
Leader, does the Trudeau government have an estimate for the number of seniors being left behind in this affordability crisis? If so, what is it?
I don’t know the number of seniors who are affected in one form or another, whether it is food insecurity or challenges with rent or other cost of living issues. It is not acceptable in our country that those who brought us into this world and who have contributed to the growth of this country should find themselves in such difficult circumstances.
I do not agree that the cause of what is plaguing too many Canadians is a function of nine years of this government. I would never have said that were the situation or governments different. That said, the government will continue to work to assist Canadians as they struggle through difficult times.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal last week says the percentage of seniors using homeless shelters is going up. The study’s main author said that a sudden increase in rent is one of the factors contributing to this trend.
Leader, rent has doubled under the Trudeau government. You say that you do not know the numbers, but is this something that the government is tracking regarding the homelessness of seniors?
The important point that you raise about tracking and data is a real challenge in our country, especially since so much of the data is within provincial hands — we have seen this in so many areas, colleagues — and where the data is not necessarily easily translatable from one jurisdiction to another. The government is seized of this problem within areas of its jurisdiction and will continue to work to the best of its ability.
