In the lead up to the October federal election, Sage reached out to all the federal party leaders to speak about Federal Retirees’ four main election issues. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and Bloc Quebecois chef Yves-François Blanchet all agreed to interviews. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer would only provide written answers. An edited version of their responses appears below.
PHARMACARE
How will your party implement a universal, public, comprehensive, accessible and portable pharmacare program?
TRUDEAU: In Budget 2019, our government took key first steps to implement national pharmacare and make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for people across the country. We are working on changes to the Patented Medicines Regulations, the rules that govern drug prices in Canada, to keep prices affordable. We created the Canadian Drug Agency, which further lays the groundwork as we move towards a national pharmacare plan. We’re also establishing a national strategy on high-cost drugs for rare diseases and we’ve made unprecedented investments to make sure families can afford these much-needed treatments.
SCHEER: We have no confidence the Trudeau government will ever implement a pharmacare system. We also have concerns that the one-sized-fits-all, multi-billion-dollar system recommended by former… [Ontario] Minister of Health Eric Hoskins will result in inferior drug coverage for those who currently have plans and will ultimately lead to $15 billion of higher taxes.
SINGH: Our plan … it’s a universal — so it covers everybody — publicly delivered, single-payer, and comprehensive.… We’re aware that this is an investment because it will return a significant savings [and] we can’t afford not to do it. The way we’re going to afford it is … a number of measures to increase revenue. One of those is a one-per-cent tax on the richest of the one-per-cent — those who have wealth of more than $20 million. We’ve also looked at closing loopholes that will generate significant revenues [including] revenue we’re not currently receiving from corporations that don’t follow through on what they are already supposed to owe us and cracking down on offshore tax havens. We’ve modelled about $9 billion. We’re saying we can get that done in a year.
BLANCHET: As a federal party, we mostly say that it is Quebec's decision that has to be implemented so if the Quebec government wants to maintain the program as it exists now, it is a decision that has to be made by Quebec's National Assembly. Legally, clearly, if there is some federal money that is to be invested in such a program, the share of this money that comes from Quebec taxpayers has to be, as the Constitution says, transferred without conditions to the Quebec government.…
MAY: The way in which we will roll out pharmacare, it’s in the context of also re-negotiating with the provinces so that we don’t have two-tiered health care and we don’t let that creep in.… We will have to create a Crown corporation to do bulk buying of drugs.… We’re planning to be very careful to ensure we are not licensing and registering drugs or buying drugs that cause more of a danger than a benefit.
How will your party ensure that federal and provincial governments work together effectively to implement universal, public pharmacare?
TRUDEAU: Over the past few years, we’ve been able to make progress through strong federal-provincial collaboration. A great example of this is the PanCanadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, which our government joined alongside provinces and territories in 2016. This alliance combines the purchasing power of many of Canada’s public drug plans, to allow them to buy drugs in bulk. This gives them far greater leverage when negotiating prices with manufacturers. In fact, the alliance has already saved working Canadians billions of dollars.
SCHEER: The Conservative Party is considering targeted, affordable, common-sense ways to help Canadians better afford their medications and will have more to say about this during the election campaign.
SINGH: We have a system that allows people to be diagnosed but doesn’t allow people to be treated. That doesn’t really make sense. We want [the provinces] to be at the table. We’ve got a system already in place — the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board — and it does a lot of the work of setting prices and negotiating on appropriate prices that can be set for medication. You would model it similarly.
BLANCHET: When two different jurisdictions are really complementary, they sit together as equals and make decisions together. This is not the case here. What we see, again, is the federal government intending to insert themselves into a jurisdiction which is basically provincial. So, what we say is the first [position] should be to transfer the money to the Quebec government. But there might be discussions about the application of those programs when one person moves to Canada in a permanent or temporary way, to make sure that this person does not lose the benefits of either program.
MAY: We want to start with a new way of consultative decision-making, which doesn’t require any constitutional change. It’s based on something we learned from Australia. What they do is create tables for decision-making and trying to approach consensus [among federal, state and municipal politicians]. We would create another quadrant at the table [for] Indigenous governments…. At a table like that would be big questions, like let’s get consensus on plans for working together.
RETIREMENT INCOME/PENSIONS
What is your party’s retirement income security plan for seniors now and for future generations?
TRUDEAU: Under our government’s leadership, Canada reached an agreement to meaningfully improve the retirement security of Canadians for the first time in over 20 years. The Enhanced Canada Pension Plan means that Canadians will have up to $7,000 more per year in their pockets when they retire. We boosted benefits for nearly 900,000 low-income seniors through increases to the GIS [Guaranteed Income Supplement] top-up payments. We’ve put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Canadian seniors by restoring the eligibility for Old Age Security and GIS benefits to 65, back down from 67. We also put in place new regulations to ensure Canadian seniors receive the benefits they are entitled to from their former employers.
SCHEER: A Conservative government will focus on making life more affordable for Canadians. For starters [by] cancelling the federal carbon tax, which increases the cost of everyday essentials like gasoline, groceries, and home heating, and will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our innovative plan to address climate change focuses on investing in green technology rather than on imposing taxes. Further, a Conservative government will remove the federal sales tax on home heating and energy bills. A Conservative government will also work to reduce financial disincentives for seniors who choose to work past the traditional retirement age.
SINGH: We think people who work their whole lives should be able to retire with dignity and shouldn’t have to live with fear that they’re going to lose their pensions or that their pensions are going to be pulled out from under their feet. For GIS and OAS, making them combined and automatic as opposed to having to apply separately is one thing. Many people who need GIS don’t apply for it, but if they qualify for OAS, the same information should allow the federal government to assess if they should get the GIS as well.
BLANCHET: Basically, we always wanted — and implemented in 2018, but only for 2018 and on — everybody who reaches the age of 65 should be automatically on the list of those who receive, if need be, according to the rules, this money. Because something between 19 and 20-per-cent of the people in Quebec — and it's the same number for Canada — that should be beneficiaries of this program, are not because they are not on the list. This is a very serious problem. Also when somebody dies, the spouse should receive for a certain period of time the pension of the deceased one in order to assure a fair transition … [I]t has to be made automatic and simple and the information about those people should be transferred easily from Revenue Canada to the authority that administrates the pension program.
MAY: We want to bring in Guaranteed Livable Income, which means that every senior will also be raised out of poverty.… We will be working — again through this new mechanism of consultative decisionmaking — figuring out what is the level of income at say, downtown Vancouver versus a remote First Nations community. They’re not going to be the same requirements. In terms of pension security, we want to protect the [CPP] system. I want to re-visit the [CPP]’s investment strategy. We are very concerned the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board … are actually playing markets and the investments are not the most risk-free. They are also very invested in fossil fuels. We want ethical investments and safe investment of our retirement savings.
How will you ensure employees and retirees with defined-benefit pensions are protected if their employer goes bankrupt? And will your party commit to not making changes to existing definedbenefit pensions on a going-forward basis if you support pension changes towards target-benefit plans.
TRUDEAU: Last year, we consulted with Canadians across the country.… What we learned is already shaping policy: We passed measures this spring that will make insolvency proceedings fairer, more transparent, and more accessible for pensioners and workers. New regulations will also improve corporate and judicial oversight over executive pay. Making sure that the insolvency process is fair, that all parties are participating in good faith, and that executives are making decisions in the best interest of their company’s pensioners are critical.… Defined-benefit pension plans are most secure when companies are strong and thriving.
SCHEER: We are concerned with recent instances, for example with Sears, of retired workers losing their hard-earned pensions because of employer bankruptcy. Conservatives were proud to support MP Erin O’Toole’s [failed] Private Member’s Bill C-405 that proposed to: a) increase oversight of federally regulated pensions; b) make it easier for pension plans to recapitalize; and c) suspend executive bonuses in certain bankruptcy circumstances. We are not considering changes to defined-benefit pensions
SINGH: We want to amend the laws around bankruptcy and insolvency and ensure that pensions receive super-priority.… When a company goes bankrupt and the pensions are stolen from [employees], we’d end that by making sure the priorities increase. We’re looking at requiring insurance that covers pensions in the case of bankruptcy or financial insolvency. We believe in protecting the strongest and best form of the pension, the defined-(benefit) pension plan.
BLANCHET: Marilène Gill, our MP for Manicouagan, has tabled a bill that would have made the private pension funds privileged creditors. So in case of bankruptcy, the future income and the fund for the former employees, or those who would reach eventually pension age, would be first protected before any other creditor against the company.
MAY: We want to ensure that people who have a company pension are a priority in any kind of bankruptcy or insolvency, so they are secured creditors and their pensions aren’t at risk. It’s pretty straightforward, just pass legislation that says these are secured creditors in bankruptcy. Right now they are just hung out to dry. There’s no protection. We just have to stand up for the workers and stand up for people. That’s a lifetime contract that really matters, and it’s a small change legislatively.
NATIONAL SENIORS STRATEGY
How will your party implement a national seniors strategy that addresses health-care infrastructure, caregiver support, home care, long-term care, and age-friendly communities?
TRUDEAU: Our national housing strategy … includes special initiatives for seniors. We’ve taken steps to invest in mental health, to improve homecare and palliative care, and fund projects that help seniors stay involved in their communities. We’re launching a national dementia strategy to better support Canadians living with dementia and their families.… We also created the National Seniors Council, a body of experts and stakeholders on seniors’ issues that advises Minister [of Seniors Filomena] Tassi [who we appointed]. They are currently studying what a national seniors strategy would look like.
SCHEER: A Conservative government will include a minister of seniors at the Cabinet table, from day one, to ensure that seniors are listened to and that their concerns are top of mind when government decisions are being made. Regarding health care, a Conservative government would continue to increase both the Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer to ensure that provinces can count on stable and predictable funding to invest in these important health-care priorities.
SINGH: It is a priority to have a national strategy. In our commitment to health care, it’s not enough to just have pharmacare, we want better support for long-term care and home care that allows people to remain in their homes longer.… The strategy … would follow the principles of people living with respect and dignity, being able to live as independently as possible and live in their own homes as long as possible [—] that means pharmacare, home care, and long-term care. That means protecting their pension and making sure OAS and GIS are at a sufficient level to allow people to live with dignity
BLANCHET: Many groups … have said clearly that the issues of health care, housing, and income security have to be included in one coherent vision in order to have everything that makes things complicated for our elderly easily dealt with. A national strategy should make things simple and automatic. The state should be responsible to protect not only the interests of those people against any possible exterior problem or threat. There should be somebody, even within the state, to help those people even if need be against the state.
MAY: We have to think about the needs of people to stay in their own homes for longer. Ageing in place and a seniors strategy involves a lot of aspects of creative thinking. We need a national dementia strategy. So working together and making sure it’s holistic.… Nothing helps people stay healthy for longer than social contact and social cohesion and connection.… We would like to find ways to encourage young people who can’t afford a home or rent to connect with seniors who have extra space.
How will your party recognize and support unpaid caregivers who play a vital role in our health-care systems?
TRUDEAU: We introduced the Caregiver EI Benefit, which makes it easier for Canadians to take time off work to care for their family member in need. We also introduced the Canada Caregiver Credit, which will make financial assistance accessible to more Canadian families. If your family member is a veteran, even more support is available — the Caregiver Recognition Benefit provides additional financial resources for caring for combat-injured family members.
SCHEER: Our previous Conservative government recognized the contribution [of caregivers] when we introduced the Family Caregiver Tax Credit to provide tax relief to caregivers of all types of infirm dependent relatives, including spouses, common-law partners, and minor children.
SINGH: We haven’t released a party position on this specific element yet. We could operate from the principle that yes, they provide essential care. It isn’t recognized and it isn’t valued, and we have to do something to recognize and value it. I know of things that have been done in Sweden, where those who provide care are given compensation for doing so — federally funded.
BLANCHET: This is something which is more and more important. They have to be [trained], helped, recognized for what they do and there's not one simple solution to that because what would be legitimate to receive as support would be relatively very, very expensive. However, because something would be expensive it wouldn’t make it legitimate for any government … to do nothing
MAY: Unpaid caregiving is so important and certainly there has been real progress in recent years for which I credit both the Harper and Trudeau administrations for expanding more tax rebates for unpaid caregivers. The Guaranteed Livable Income will be a big help here because people won’t be so stressed financially when they have to give up a job … it’s enough to alleviate the stress that you might lose your home.
VETERANS’ ISSUES
What is your party’s plan to ensure veterans and their loved ones receive the care, tools, and support they need at every step? This includes financial security and plans regarding the new Pension for Life.
TRUDEAU: We have invested more than $10 billion to bring services and benefits in line with where they should have been years ago. Pension for Life is one example. It provides financial security to those who need it most, while complementing existing programs and services, including Career Transition Services, the Education and Training Benefit, the two Centres of Excellence in PTSD and Chronic Pain, and the Caregiver Recognition Benefit. We need to make sure we’re there for our veterans as they transition out of the military and into civilian life. That’s why we’ve invested more into transition, education, skills training, and health-care supports than previous governments.
SCHEER: Too often, there is a gap between a veteran’s retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces and becoming eligible for benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada. The Liberals have failed to take real action on transition services. Conservatives will always support our veterans and will have more to say about this during the election campaign.
SINGH: [W]e want to end homelessness among veterans so we have a housing strategy to ensure all veterans have access to affordable housing. To give more veterans access to post-secondary education and training that works for them, we will expand the education benefit to more people. We will also help support veterans and their families by reviewing the caregiver allowance and making it available to more people. We made a commitment that would require money allocated for veteran services be spent on veteran services, particularly when the quality of the service isn’t meeting the levels set by the government itself. On pension, we want to make sure they have a pension that respects the work and sacrifice they made to serve our country.
BLANCHET: What makes me angry is when I see the Canadian government making politics with those persons who fought, or who made themselves available to fight, for the country or for their close ones and after that … administratively complex documents or procedures that those people or their families have to go through in order to receive what is duly owed to them. Many of them are complaining — some of them are even going to court against the federal government — because there's always something preventing them from getting what is owed to them. They've done enough for their country not to have to wade through some complicated procedures and at the end of the day not receive what they should receive.
MAY: I want to bring the military community and the veterans’ community together… in a series of national townhall meetings so they can contribute to a grassroots strategy to ensure veterans and their families are well cared for. That includes much more support in the areas of mental health and PTSD. We will end the lump-sum payments to veterans and re-establish the periodic payment, as occurred before 2006.
The presence of many veterans’ groups speaks to longstanding difficulties veterans have faced in accessing support over several successive governments. How does your party plan to address the history to improve the future?
TRUDEAU: Veterans Affairs faced significant cuts under the previous government. These cuts didn’t just affect public servants — they left veterans struggling to find and access the services they need. Our government is doing things differently. We’re listening.… We’ve hired back more than 700 staff who were lost during the Harper years, re-opened the nine VAC offices, and changed the culture at Veterans Affairs to one that says “yes” when veterans come forward to ask for help. These changes have led to a 60-per-cent increase in applications for benefits since 2015.
SCHEER: Conservatives believe that veterans must be treated with the respect they deserve. We were proud to introduce a bill in the House of Commons, which the Liberals defeated, that would have enshrined a military covenant between veterans and the Government of Canada. Conservatives will respect the covenant with veterans and will always uphold veterans’ ability to access the benefits they are owed.
SINGH: I think we need more concrete action and less symbolic gestures. That’s why there are so many veterans’ organizations, because symbolically people say they matter, but then they don’t deliver on the care. Our focus will be on ensuring our people who have sacrificed so much for us receive the care and support they rightly deserve
BLANCHET: If I had to say it in one word, I would say compassion. Again. It is a word that tends to lead the way I see everything that is about older people.
MAY: Our approach is going to be to convene groups of veterans and a national roundtable and have veterans report to government what is needed. We will restore periodic payments and work on the healthcare piece immediately. But there’s more that needs to be done.…