SENIORS IGNORED

With the election call, it is time to honestly review a matter of gross negligence by all the politicians in Ottawa.

There is a struggling senior segment of our society that is totally ignored and that is the growing segment of single, widowed, divorced men and women who are striving to be independent and stay out of the “welfare purse” against almost impossible odds.

Inflation has decimated their pensions and savings. Women have a life expectancy some six to seven years longer than men and in that age group, outnumber men five to one, with a badly diminished income.

With these facts, it is understandable they get no assistance from the children’s allowances, tax-free savings accounts or any other of the touted election promises.

They are not draining the “welfare budgets” by seeking senior care homes, nursing homes or food banks.

They are trying to live in their modest homes in spite of the huge education and municipal taxes and services.

This group is a product of the Depression and the 1940s and ’50s and have never been a drain upon the tax systems, but are sliding into abject poverty as their economic status continues to deteriorate.

If governments don’t address this crisis, there will soon be a flood of senior street people with no place to go and no hope for survival. Forget the “tax free savings plans” and “income splitting” plans and “children’s allowances” as an excuse to do nothing for this large group, who get zero assistance or recognition.

Are politicians listening? Rod Thomson Prince Albert