Harper Announces Increase to Guaranteed Income Supplement

Up to $840 per year in additional support for low-income seniors

RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP, QUEBEC – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government would follow through on its Budget commitment to strengthen its support for Canadian seniors by increasing the monthly Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors.

“Canada’s seniors helped build this country for future generations,” said Harper. “Our seniors deserve a secure and dignified retirement that recognizes the contributions they have made.”

The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan outlines the Conservative plan to top up the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for the most vulnerable seniors, providing additional annual benefits of up to $600 for single seniors and $840 for couples. Many low-income seniors are widowed women who have made valuable contributions to their families and communities, but may not have access to other sources of pension income.

“Although Canada has a strong system of support for retired seniors, there are still too many Canadian seniors who experience financial difficulties,” said Harper. “A re-elected Conservative Government will ensure that we provide assistance to those seniors most in need, in recognition of the contributions they have made to our country.”

Harper noted that the Conservative plan represents an additional investment of $300 million per year in Canada’s seniors, which is affordable without raising taxes. “The Ignatieff-led Coalition, with the support of the NDP and the Bloc Québécois, opposed our low-tax plan to help Canadian seniors, workers, and families,” said Harper. “The Ignatieff-led Coalition’s high-tax agenda will hurt seniors, but just as importantly, it will do irreparable harm to the country they worked so hard to build.”