Public backlash only way to stop Harper cutting OAS benefits: Rae
Posted Feb 1, 2012 01:40:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Bob Rae says public opinion is the only thing that can stop the Harper government from cutting Old Age Security.
The interim Liberal leader says early reaction to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s musings on the subject has been fierce.
In less than week, more than 12,000 Canadians have signed an online petition started by the Liberals and MPs have heard loud complaints from constituents.
Two previous governments backed off tinkering with pension benefits in the face of furious public outcries.
Rae warns that raising the age of eligibility for OAS to 67 from 65 would have a domino effect.
He says it would cut poor seniors off the Guaranteed Income Supplement and download the costs of supporting them onto provincial and municipal governments.
