Because of this pandemic, it has come to light how the governments of Canada are treating us as citizens. It has become very apparent that if you are an employable taxpayer, you have gotten help from both federal and provincial governments in one way or another.
Meanwhile, those of us relying on our CPP, CPP Disability, Social Services and SAID payments get the same amounts as we always have.
The governments said the cost of living in this pandemic has gone up for Canadians. Yet those of us in receipt of these social programs funded by the provincial and federal governments have received next to nothing – if anything at all.
I am receiving CPP Disability cheques because of a workplace accident in 1989, when I fractured my back and was misdiagnosed for many years, along with a sprained back. This accident sidelined me from work many times at three to five-month durations.
It wasn’t till 2011, after being run over and suffering from a flailed chest, (six broken ribs and a punctured left lung), that my doctor saw the fracture from 1989 through X-rays and scans.Â
I haven’t gotten any help and my cost of living has gone up the same as the employable taxpayer.
My thoughts on health: How many people, not only seniors, can only get the meds they can afford, but not all of the meds their doctors prescribed? I was one of them.
With my income, there is no way I can afford all my meds.
I purchased one medication that I had to have. Being on a limited and fixed income after living expenses, there wasn’t much cash left over.
I fought many times over the past number of years to get some kind of help. The SAID program was the program I enrolled in just for my meds – nothing more. I had to appeal, because of my income – the government said I have a surplus of income.
I now get help, but why did I have to fight to get the meds my doctor said I needed? I didn’t ask for help with rent, food and utilities, just my medical needs.
The system is and has been flawed for years. It seems as long as you’re an employable taxpayer, you’re all good, if you are in receipt of one of the social programs. Well, in my opinion, you’re forgotten about.
The Canadian government has set the “bar" at $2000 a month for the employable taxpayer. Why hasn’t the government set a bar for all Canadians? What about the 70-year-old man whose only income is his pension at $1300 a month? Why doesn’t he get the same $2000? His living expenses have gone up the same as everybody’s.
Its time we all speak up. The system will stay the same if we don’t.
Faren Harden, AssiniboiaÂ
