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Statement by Alice Wong on Liberal Government announcement for Seniors
May 12, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHMOND, BC – Alice Wong, Opposition Shadow Minister for Seniors and Member of Parliament for Richmond Centre, has the following statement in regards to the May 12, 2020 announcement by Prime Minister Trudeau on measures for seniors due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
“Seniors are the most affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Overwhelmingly, the largest quantity of those that die of COVID-19 are elders. From my consultations with seniors, it is their physical health that is the highest concern. There is also a strong mental health concern of living in fear from a virus that kills seniors more than any other age demographic.
Since March, we have seen announcement after announcement by the Liberal government. This announcement on seniors, while appreciated, is late. While the one-time OAS/GIS payment increase is in-line with the one-time increases announced in March to parents and low-income Canadians, the lateness of this announcement merely reflects that seniors are an afterthought by the Liberal government.
The Liberal government was too late to close our borders to COVID-19. The Liberal government was too late to advise wearing masks in vulnerable environments. The Liberal government was too late to secure sufficient quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE). The Liberal government was too late to implement a mandatory quarantine for international arrivals. And now, the Liberals are too late to recognize the true needs of our seniors.
Seniors have been affected financially from COVID-19, just like the rest of Canada. But the primary challenge that COVID-19 has presented for seniors is health. Not having enough PPE supplies at care homes. Living in isolation from your loved ones. And finally, knowing that people of senior age are the most likely to die of COVID-19. This is the biggest concern of seniors – health. The Trudeau government has made matters worse with their decisions that have come too late.”