Seniors United Now or SUN as we are more commonly referred to is a non-profit, non-partisan, province wide organization. Our vision is to be a leading resource and advocate on seniors’ issues.

The PC leadership campaign represents an excellent opportunity for seniors and indeed all Albertans to be involved in the future of our province. To this extent SUN is dedicating all its efforts to presenting seniors concerns, asking specific questions and generally seeking the PC leadership candidates’ knowledge and position on seniors’ issues.

Former Premier Peter Lougheed says the next Conservative Party leader must give seniors a higher priority. He says the challenges of an ever-growing seniors population can be overcome with a stronger commitment from the provincial government. The seniors population is growing all right, and they’re old enough to know better than to wait for the government to help out with everything from health care premiums to joint replacements to expensive prescription drugs to wheelchairs or anything else well beyond a pensioner’s budget. You’ll wait in vain. Look what happened in Calgary. With the growing seniors’ population on fixed income, their city council looked at letting seniors not pay their property taxes; just let the bills accumulate like a line of credit until they no longer need the house, and then collect with interest. That idea went nowhere, they were afraid too many seniors on that plan would be bad for city finances, so, of course nothing is being done, and nothing will, until the growing number of seniors get organized and start flexing some political if geriatric muscle.

SUN would remind all politicians that there are approximately 330,000 persons aged 65 and over in this province and approximately 275,000 persons aged 55 to 64. Historically, these are the people that turn out in the largest numbers to vote. The total of these two age groups is 605,000. They represent 68% of the 890,000 votes cast in the last general election.

SUN continues to press all politicians on two key and ongoing issues, health care and seniors benefits. SUN remains committed to its position that under no circumstance must responsibility for or authority over health care be placed in the hands of private enterprise. In addition, SUN is and shall continue to press for the restoration of seniors’ benefits that were cut or reduced in the early 1990s. SUN is working with other senior focused organizations in an attempt to direct as great a variety of questions as possible to the leadership candidates. SUN shall continue to work with all senior focused organizations to assist in distributing all materials that will aid in bringing seniors concerns and issues to the forefront. To this extent SUN has forwarded a questionnaire to all PC leadership candidates. The questionnaire and candidate responses are reported below.

Alberta is enjoying a time of great prosperity and seniors are pleased for all who benefit. However, with great prosperity comes a significant pressure on the price of goods and services. Though the increase in the cost of living affects all citizens it creates considerable additional financial stress for those living on fixed incomes. Seniors may or may not have sufficient income to meet their daily living needs. If they do today they most likely will not in the future. It is generally if not universally agreed that there is considerable benefit (including financial) to society/taxpayers to have seniors remain in their own home as long as is safely possible. Yet many seniors and the number is growing, do not have the financial means to properly maintain their home. Seniors are not looking to be enriched. Rather, they are struggling to find a stability and sustainability of wellness within their home and community.

SUN believes that each generation has an inherent responsibility to those that come after and to those that go before.

It has been our experience that assisting the elderly and seniors issues are not considered glamorous or dramatic enough to attract any degree of attention or support from the public or private sectors. To those in the public and private sectors who are paying attention and providing support, we extend a sincere thank you. We shall not forget.

Can government, private enterprise or society be all things to all people? No they cannot. However, they can and must use compassionate, rational and honest thinking and behaviour to do their best.

SUN Questionnaire - PC Leadership Candidates:

1. Will you support the position that seniors qualifying incomes for all provincial benefit programs be calculated net of:

– Non medical expenses for continuing care where spouses must live separately due to care requirements.

– Attendant care expenses for home care. Qualifying attendant care expenses to be, at a minimum, equal to those attendant care expenses that the federal government qualify as a medical expense and eligible for the attendant care claim

OBERG-Yes, Lyle Oberg believes it is reasonable to include senior’s incomes be calculated net of a number of the medical and homecare expenses the SUN has specified.

MCPHERSON- This make sense to me, and I will do all I can within the provincial taxation laws.

DINNING-I know from listening to seniors across Alberta – including my own mom – that we need to have programs that are responsive and flexible enough to meet the needs of seniors in different circumstances. I’ll admit: I don’t know the details of how all the benefits operate and the criteria involved. It makes sense that these expenses would be factored into benefit eligibility, depending upon income. But I’m not going to make this kind of a commitment before I sit down with seniors’ organizations and with the Seniors Minister Yvonne Fritz to identify all the changes that are necessary to make sure seniors’ needs are addressed.

2. Will you support the position that the Alberta personal taxable income for seniors be calculated on the same basis as above?

OBERG- Yes, Lyle Oberg supports that position

MCPHERSON- This make sense to me, and I will do all I can within the provincial taxation laws.

DINNING- My reply is the same as for question #1

3. Will you support increasing the income thresholds for all seniors benefit programs by a minimum of 50% over the next five years and the subsequent indexing of these thresholds?

OBERG-Yes, Lyle Oberg supports increasing the income threshold for all seniors’ benefits, and indexing those thresholds. It is not possible at this time to commit to a specific 50% target, but an Oberg led government will work toward that target over the next 5 years.

MCPHERSON- Yes, unless there is something that I don't know about that would prevent this from being affordable -- which I don't believe is the case!

DINNING- Alberta’s package of benefits for seniors is one of the best in Canada. In the last few years additional support has been extended to protect seniors from increases in education property taxes, to eliminate health care premiums for seniors, and to expand support for dental and glasses. Still, with Alberta’s strong economy, cost are increasing and that has an impact on everyone, especially people who live on fixed incomes. So I’d support tying increases in seniors’ benefits to an index that reflects the increasing cost of living. But I’m not prepared to commit to a minimum 50% increase during a leadership campaign. These are important decisions that must be made in the context of a plan. That’s the responsible fiscal approach I’d practice rather than make easy-to-make promises during this leadership race.

4. Will you support increases in senior health benefits and the indexing of these benefits?

OBERG- Absolutely, Lyle Oberg supports increasing seniors’ health benefits and indexing those benefits to protect seniors from the negative effects of inflationary pressures.

MCPHERSON- Interest about, yes -- index may be the best option or there may be another way to do the same thing.

DINNING- In principle Yes, especially if those health benefits are designed to help seniors remain independent and lead healthy, active lives for many years to come. This would include continuing to provide assistance for medical costs to seniors in need.

5. Will you support the establishment of an Independent Seniors Advocate?

OBERG- Establishing a Seniors Advocate is an excellent idea that a Lyle Oberg government would implement, modeling such an office along the lines of the Provincial Ombudsman, and charging that office with the task of (among other things) developing guidelines for prosecuting cases of elder abuse.

MCPHERSON- Based on my experience with disability -- not likely, I think that we need to empower and "respect" the community advocacy voices and bring their suggestions into provincial policy and regulations.

DINNING- There are many organizations advocating for seniors. And Yvonne Fritz is a passionate advocate for seniors. The Seniors Advisory Council under MLA Ray Prins advocates and provides advice to the government. So before committing to establish a seniors advocate, I need to understand what it is that seniors are not getting now and what would an advocate do that several organizations and a committed minister isn’t able to do.

6. Will you enable seniors to remain independent in the community by addressing transportation issues such as:

- Aging driver support.

- Affordable alternative community transportation.

MCPHERSON- My government would be a facilitator of such -- not a deliverer of service.

DINNING- I know that if seniors can’t be mobile in their community, it’s hard for them to be independent. In terms of driving, all Albertans, young and old, have to meet the necessary requirements to safely operate a vehicle. If seniors need help to do this, it makes good sense to work with community groups to provide these supports. Affordable community transportation is important and I’d work with our municipalities to make sure they can offer affordable transportation.

7. Will you work cooperatively with municipalities to develop affordable housing for seniors and consider creating innovative housing options?

OBERG- Yes. In fact, Lyle Oberg has proposed a bold plan for establishing a new partnership between the Province, School Boards and Municipalities to utilize the property tax dollars currently collected for local priorities. One of those priorities which the Province could more effectively address by sharing power with local authorities is the building of multi purpose centers on municipal green space that incorporate affordable housing for seniors next to schools and community centers. Affordable housing for seniors is one the cornerstones of a workable society and is essential for maintaining quality of life. The issue of affordable housing is critical to our economy in Alberta and to the lives of our seniors. An Oberg government would make this a key priority.

MCPHERSON- Absolutely!

DINNING- Yes, I will work cooperatively with both the federal and municipal governments on this important issue. I know from my Mom-and many other seniors-that they want to live as long as possible in their own homes including homes where they can get different types of assistance as they age. While we will need long-term care facilities for seniors who need more comprehensive care, assisted living facilities and other innovative housing options are excellent choices for seniors, who prefer more independent living. We also need to make sure that high standards are in place, whatever the type of housing, so that seniors can live in safe and secure housing and get the care they need.

8. Will you support the seniors’ population with a utility subsidy?

OBERG-The Province currently offers all Albertans subsidies if the price of natural gas rises too fast. This type of universal program is better than targeting subsidies to specific demographic groups. Lyle Oberg favours a policy whereby the Province funds seniors with a higher monthly allowance that follows them to assist them with living expenses. In this way, the money follows the senior to the facility of their choosing, not the other way around.

MCPHERSON- I would have to consider a "utility subsidy" carefully with my colleagues, because my intention is to support the earlier requests contained in statements #1, 2, 3 and 4.

DINNING- With Alberta’s booming economy, we’re all seeing costs go up and many seniors (and their children & Grandchildren) work hard to pay their bills. I believe Alberta is the only province that offers the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program to assist low-income seniors with unexpected or one-time costs. Assistance with utility costs may be another item to consider funding under this program.

Ted Morton has advised that he will not be responding to any questionnaire/surveys. As at the writing of this article, no response has been received from the other candidates.

We encourage seniors and indeed all Albertans to be informed and to be involved.

For additional information on the individual candidates, please visit their web sites.

jimdinning.ca obergforalberta.ca marknorris.ca davehancock.ca

stelmach.ca teammcpherson.com tedmorton.ca voteforvictor.ca