Seniors in several locations across B.C. took a walk for a reason Thursday (March 21) morning.
In White Rock, as well as at locations in Vernon, Terrace, Ladysmith, Kamloops and Prince George, seniors gathered with signs, posters and placards for the Tin Cup March for Fair SeniorB次元官网网址檚 Pensions, held simultaneously across the province to draw attention to the plight of seniors living in poverty.
In South Surrey, a small group of seniors gathered outside South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne FindlayB次元官网网址檚 office and marched around the area with signs saying B次元官网网址淲e want change now B次元官网网址� not charityB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址�1-2-3-4, weB次元官网网址檙e sick and tired of being poor,B次元官网网址� among others.
This event marks the inaugural march for the Semiahmoo Peninsula. The original was started in Vernon just last year by organizer Carole Fawcett, and has expanded across B.C. since.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 growing, and I think itB次元官网网址檚 going to grow even more, moving forward,B次元官网网址� said White Rock/South Surrey march organizer Sue Reid, who has heard thereB次元官网网址檚 about 15 seniors who are homeless and living in their cars B次元官网网址� if theyB次元官网网址檙e lucky enough to have a car B次元官网网址� in White Rock.
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B次元官网网址淲hen they only make $17,000 with old age pension and the Canadian poverty threshold is $25,252 a year, itB次元官网网址檚 clear (seniors) donB次元官网网址檛 have enough. (Old Age Pension) should be increased up to poverty level.B次元官网网址�
As cars driving past honked their horns in support of the march, Reid noted more and more seniors are unable to afford the cost of living.
She said she knows of one family who say they are supplementing their senior family members every month B次元官网网址� taking funds out of their own, stretched budget B次元官网网址� because they canB次元官网网址檛 make ends meet without the monthly help.
B次元官网网址淭hese are just regular, everyday people, just like usB次元官网网址� you see (the poverty) happening more and more.B次元官网网址�
In Vernon, nearly 100 protesters showed up to march, Fawcett said.
B次元官网网址淭he turnout is amazing and I am just so touched,B次元官网网址� she said.
FawcettB次元官网网址檚 goal is that the government will increase pensions, to reflect the rising inflation across the country.
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Because it was spring break, youth as well as seniors came out in support in Terrace, with sunny views of the cityB次元官网网址檚 snow-capped local mountains as a backdrop, gathering outside the Tillicum Twin Theatres.
B次元官网网址淲e were the second community that came on board with the organizer,B次元官网网址� said Diana Penner, president of Skeena Valley Seniors Society.
The demonstration, which later turned into a rally to the office of MLA Ellis Ross, MP Taylor Bachrach and to city hall, was also joined by some young faces who held the signs of B次元官网网址淪eniors on government pension live in povertyB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淩aise government pensions above the poverty line.B次元官网网址�
In Ladysmith, seniors marched along 1st Avenue in support of the march, in solidarity with all the other seniors and events around the province. Ladysmith march organizer Joanne Burroughs said 23 per cent of people experiencing homelessness in B.C. are seniors.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the highest itB次元官网网址檚 ever been,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e just not getting anything and you canB次元官网网址檛 live on what theyB次元官网网址檙e giving people. I was just really mad at the situation and people not being aware of it.B次元官网网址�
Burroughs said she hopes the Tin Cup movement makes its way across the country, as old age security is a federal file. She stressed that higher pensions wonB次元官网网址檛 only benefit todayB次元官网网址檚 seniors.
B次元官网网址淚t is for seniors and future seniorsB次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 going to be worse for them,B次元官网网址� she said.
Visit seniorstincup.org for more details.
B次元官网网址� with files from Bowen Assman, Prabhnoor Kaur and Greg Sakaki
