Vernon part of B.C. protest to highlight low pensions for seniors

Mar 19, 2024 | 5:00 AM

A demonstration will be held on the streets of Vernon — and six other B.C. communities this Thursday (March 21).

Members of Seniors Tin Cup will be protesting the low pensions that seniors receive from the Canadian government.

The provincial organizer is Carole Fawcett of Vernon.

“Did you know that the poverty line for Canadians is $25,252?” Fawcett asked. “A lot of seniors live on much less. If a low-income senior doesn’t own their own home, it could come close to ‘living-in-my-car-time’ – if they have a car.”

Fawcett said according to the Broadbent Institute, 28 per cent of senior women are living in poverty.

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She told an article from Avery & Kerr Communications, government programs like the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement were designed to supplement the pensions that people would get from their job when they retired.

“People used to stay with one company forever, so they built up a good pension. But now, very few people have pensions, or can afford to put money aside for when they retire, as they were too busy just trying to exist,” Fawcett maintained.

The Vernon march will start at the Schubert Centre at 3505 30th Avenue, with mustering at 10:30 a.m.

The march will move east on 30th Avenue toward 32nd Street at 11 a.m. There will be chairs for protestors to sit down for a rest along the route.

“Bring friends and family — and your sense of humour,” Fawcett, a freelance writer and retired counsellor, suggested.

Similar events will be held in Kamloops, Prince George, Terrace, Vancouver, White Rock and Ladysmith.

by Pete McIntyre

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