A seniors advocate in New Brunswick is calling for changes to the $300 workers’ benefit announced by the province.
Most seniors won’t be eligible unless they have a working income of at least $3,000 in 2022 or 2023.
Cecile Cassista, executive director of the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights said everyone should be eligible and is calling out Premier Blaine Higgs.
“I think the premier has sent mixed messages. What they are doing is saying they have a program of affordability, but they are rolling in other programs that have already been in place for seniors which is very, very confusing,” said Cassista.
“On Tuesday, a press release came out. It’s even worse than what it was. Now they are saying that seniors don’t qualify. What about people on social assistance? There’s people on disability that don’t work.
“I think it should just cover everybody. Why are we playing silly games with a little bit of money that these people can use right away. We are faced with a crisis in terms of cost, food, transportation, all kinds of things.”
Cassista said Higgs is trying to turn the tables around and blame the opposition Liberals and Ottawa, which she said is not a responsible way to conduct himself.
“I think he needs to come clean. He needs to clearly say this is the affordability, this is the qualifications. Why are they mixing it with other programs.”
Cassista is encouraging the public to write to their MLAs and the premier to get an answer about who is and isn’t eligible and what benefits come with eligibility.
“It’s taxpayer’s money, it’s not their money,” said Cassista.
