I suppose my question to those in the HST cheering section is: How exactly does this benefit seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes?
Obviously it is reassuring to know that various services will be exempt, but the cost of those services have continued to rise even in boom times as does the cost of everything else we either must or choose to consume. And unlike Ontario's plan to give a one-time only rebate to its citizens, there appears to be nothing forthcoming from B.C.
With the federal government in economic straights there can be no plan to increase either Canada pension or old age security benefits and I cannot understand how there can be any "trickle down" affect for seniors from resource-based export industries getting this huge tax benefit, although I am willing to see evidence should it be available.
Actually, from what I see in various news reports, seniors had best hope that their families will be there for them when their situations deteriorate. Perhaps those families having to cope with the total care of their aging and/or ill parents will be fortunate enough to be employed by those resource-based export industries. Well, for as long as those resources, which are not finite, last.
On the other hand, I have also read that Alzheimer's disease will continue to increase amongst the aging population and perhaps if we are all quite gaga we won't have to worry about these nagging concerns.
Jeannette Paterson
Prince George
