LETTER

LETTRE

Quebec budget: care of seniors

 The Government of Quebec has  HYPERLINK "http://click.agilitypr.delivery/ls/click?upn=85ZjEW7CAE3rMcpBYCyeO5cc7BX6-2Fy2usNlCbow29mA0txKkXTQRLBKitOrJg-2BqX8Ej5jQBZuPAG1NTr-2BQVdLdGdPeM6FXLV6kablKvtFmE-3Douof_Y-2BXF-2B1WmAx-2BUgxyvqmxyyhla9i9L0DPgxKHjzX5fRYTC-2FtLczm5QPOIXYe1WmelYz2PVNpl6pf-2FhybksPasH6EYT9d0krQosidhmlWkmNl6TsS1FU-2Fa13LlRx7lmo7xa6hS97YO7oTPokAAKWDcDtYxqaWYSaJZ1xVXRdksZBO34FW3q8ZL5mYIPrPjEi2aZq-2FHD0UhteJ-2B-2BA6zckSqHRdyqCwYeEB5VAvotfGSlxDa4UUQXDomulDkx5jMcqtkeiKYdhwmyksJoanfw-2FEC0YX60Mrdux9l2qxxZcZWiVSQ9EEVmomjiWUzrZ8xYhkbyF9lx8kXAqJhk4YqWUxCqsGjzUw5TPzKsF-2BcOI4s8E5uw7W2vLyStElyaM6YPM9t-2F0LnRlq4qpr0lxzsR1taga5HAiS9hQRGgB5nHuLoFMX8NyhDwrHHDCAX5x8adffdM-2FEja4KYZFSmNclFYXw7Tyw-3D-3D" released its 2022-23 budget, announcing investments for seniors in care and financial support.
       While a commitment to building affordable housing was included, the allocated $100 million falls far short of what is needed.
       Quebec's budget recognizes that seniors’ care is in crisis. However, given how poorly the province does on vaccinating seniors against preventable diseases like the flu, shingles, and pneumonia, it’s a huge miss that more dollars aren’t committed to keeping seniors living at home healthy.
       We are also concerned with the rollback of funding and protection for vulnerable seniors in Quebec.
       Quebec has the worst vaccine funding in Canada and is the only jurisdiction to not publicly fund even standard flu shots for adults 18+.
       Highlights for older adults in budget:
More money for home care and long-term care.
Doubling of the maximum rent for the home care tax credit from $600 to $1,200.
For home care hiring costs the tax credit up 35 to 40%.
$1.5 billion for new seniors homes & residential care.
$129 million for private services and CHLSDs to meet the public system's standard of care.
A promised 6.3% increase to health care spending.
$500 per person for people making less than $100K a year.
More money for pandemic & future disasters.
$12.2 million by 2026-27 for optimal medications in CHLSD
$100 million to build 1,000 affordable housing units over 5 years–inadequate.
        HYPERLINK "http://click.agilitypr.delivery/ls/click?upn=jmwDWSRiAooDox0vIkKS5CyWMzQfPPzXsSJYF-2B-2F-2BzeA-3DXVZp_Y-2BXF-2B1WmAx-2BUgxyvqmxyyhla9i9L0DPgxKHjzX5fRYTC-2FtLczm5QPOIXYe1WmelYz2PVNpl6pf-2FhybksPasH6EYT9d0krQosidhmlWkmNl6TsS1FU-2Fa13LlRx7lmo7xa6hS97YO7oTPokAAKWDcDtYxqaWYSaJZ1xVXRdksZBO34FW3q8ZL5mYIPrPjEi2aZq-2FHD0UhteJ-2B-2BA6zckSqHRdyqCwYeEB5VAvotfGSlxDa4UUQXDomulDkx5jMcqtkeiKYdhwmyksJoanfw-2FEC0YbQox0RcULGCQooP3xLY13-2FCeOeYVyFbW6L73w1d7dGa9IQsGYZqp3ZwwhoH25tJ6lIEy1qXxyZn9wGn0YjlL4Loz0FtRvOrhFHblpd7hrYtZ8-2Bt-2BNFm5FmJdFdhaMKKDCD-2BXRowx7PcGrkcyjPYmW9d3d-2F6mFmZS5TlekACf8twUg5Y7k4EixzIRMqFZnwTVw-3D-3D" n CanAge is Canada's national seniors' advocacy organization, working to improve the lives of older adults through advocacy, policy, and community engagement. We are non-partisan.
Michelle Saunders, CanAge
Toronto