@ctvnews Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined his government's priorities Friday after Canadians voted in the Liberals for a fourth mandate. #carney #canada #politics #news ♬ original sound - CTVNews
Since Mark Carney became Prime Minister of Canada in March 2025, there have been several notable developments affecting seniors' benefits. Here's an overview of the key changes and proposals:
Policy Changes and Proposals Under Prime Minister Mark Carney
1. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Increase
The Liberal government, under Carney's leadership, proposed a one-year, 5% increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement to assist low-income seniors in coping with economic challenges. This enhancement could provide up to $652 in additional support for eligible individuals.
2. Cabinet Restructuring and Seniors' Representation
Upon forming his cabinet, Prime Minister Carney did not appoint a dedicated Minister for Seniors. This decision has raised concerns among advocacy groups about the potential lack of focused attention on seniors' issues within the federal government.
3. Fiscal Policy and Spending Reviews
Carney has committed to capping the size of the federal public service and conducting a comprehensive review of government spending. While he emphasized that there would be no reductions in direct fiscal transfers to individuals, such as pensions and unemployment benefits, the broader implications of these reviews on seniors' programs remain to be seen.
Updates to Seniors' Benefits
1. Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Enhancements
Benefit Increase: As of March 2025, CPP payments have increased by 2.7% to adjust for inflation.
Survivor's Pension: For individuals aged 65 and older, the maximum survivor's pension is now 60% of the deceased contributor's retirement pension, amounting to up to $818.76 per month. For those under 65, the benefit includes 37.5% of the deceased's pension plus a flat-rate portion.
Children's Benefits: Dependent children of disabled or deceased CPP contributors receive a monthly benefit of $301.77 if in full-time education, or $150.89 if in part-time studies.
2. Old Age Security (OAS) Payments
For the January to March 2025 quarter, OAS payments remained unchanged:
Ages 65 to 74: Maximum monthly payment of $727.67
Ages 75 and over: Maximum monthly payment of $800.44
These amounts are subject to quarterly reviews and may be adjusted based on inflation in future periods.
Canadian Dental Care Plan for Seniors
The Canadian Dental Care Plan has been expanded to provide coverage to seniors, addressing a significant gap as many retirees lack dental insurance. This initiative aims to improve oral health among older Canadians and has been highlighted as a transformative measure for seniors' well-being.
Ongoing Considerations
While these developments indicate a continued commitment to supporting Canadian seniors, the absence of a dedicated Minister for Seniors and the proposed fiscal reviews suggest that advocacy and monitoring will be essential to ensure that seniors' needs remain a priority in federal policymaking.
For more details refer to CRA
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