National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Federation Debate Pensions with Hon. Minister Diane Finley

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -02/09/12)- The Executive of the National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Federation (NPSCF) concluded their annual lobby on Parliament Hill yesterday with a debate with the Honourable Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Diane Finley over the issue of retirement security.

NPSCF President Barry Thorsteinson says, "We were there to present a case for better treatment of Canada's seniors at or below the poverty line supported by creditable research. However, instead of a discussion we got a lecture that there is a sustainability crises in Old Age Security (OAS)."

Thorsteinson accuses the Harper Government of ignoring the opinions of others, including a report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer which states the OAS is not in crisis.

The NPSCF lobby also addressed the housing, Pharmacare and dental health priorities facing Canada's seniors.

The lobby included a meeting with Shelly Glover, the Parliamentary Secretary for Finance. The executive also met with staff from the office of the Minister of State for Seniors, the Honourable Alice Wong. Minister Wong was unavailable. They also met with Opposition Members of Parliament, both New Democrats and Liberals.

Thorsteinson says while opposition MPs were willing to engage in meaningful discussion on seniors' issues, Government officials were more interested in presenting their positions.

The NPSCF has 350 affiliates across Canada with close to one million members. It is the only National Seniors' Organization that holds an Annual Convention to determine policy objectives for pensioners in open and democratic debate.