Federal government committed to supporting seniors in King-Vaughan, minister says

Tassi shared the government’s intention to move forward on the foundational elements of a national pharmacare plan

Yorkregion.com
April 2, 2019
Sheila Wang

Filomena Tassi, the federal minister of seniors, addressed challenges facing senior citizens in King-Vaughan Riding at a recent forum in King City.

Tassi told attendees the federal government acknowledged that increasingly more seniors are facing challenges such as financial insecurity and difficulties accessing services.

She said the government -- with the 2019 federal budget -- is committed to helping Canadian seniors keep more money in their pockets, receive the benefits they are entitled to, protect their workplace pensions.

In King Township, the senior population -- aged 65 and over -- has been growing over the past decade.

In 2016, there were more than 3,700 people who were 65 years and older, making up for 15.3 per cent of the total population, up from 14.5 per cent five years earlier.

Tassi also shared the government’s intention to move forward on the foundational elements of a national pharmacare plan, which would make prescription drugs more affordable and more accessible to more Canadians.

“The new Canadian Drug Agency will help lower the cost of prescription drugs for Canadians, and a national approach will help make some of the most expensive drugs more accessible for Canadians with rare diseases,” Tassi said at the seniors forum help at the King City Arena and Community Centre.

“These measures mark important first steps on the way to a system that helps all Canadians get the medicine they need,” she added.

Deb Schulte, MP for King-Vaughan riding, who hosted the well-attended forum, also responded to the concerns raised by seniors and stakeholders.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to have the minister in my riding to hear the community’s priorities firsthand in relation to seniors’ issues, while she also had an opportunity to share all the work already done on behalf of seniors,” Schulte said.