B.C.'s new seniors' advocate mounted a spirited defence of the province's retirees, telling a group of retired teachers Friday that older people aren't living on easy street and getting a free ride off the backs of younger workers.
"It's simply not true," Isobel Mackenzie argued, "It makes a headline-grabbing story, but it's not true."
Since being appointed to the post last year, Mackenzie has been vocal about what she considers to be ageism and discrimination against people 65 years and older, writing articles and even calling reporters out on articles that she says create a division between generations and stereotype an entire group of people.
Recently, an economic study proposed ending seniors discounts because they increasingly benefit wealthy retirees who don't need the help.
But Mackenzie said at least half of B.C. seniors are poor, many live alone and aren't aware of subsidies that are available to them.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Coquitlam Retired Teachers' Association, Mackenzie said it's a myth that all retirees are rich. In fact, the median income for those living in B.C. is $24,600, which means 50% are living on less than that amount, with 52,000 living on $16,500 or less.
While the majority, are homeowners, she noted that they have often borrow against their equity and many are struggling to pay property taxes, maintenance and other costs, with about 36% planning to move because of affordability.
Mackenzie said one of her jobs will be to increase awareness, and make it easier for people to apply for subsidies.
Housing affordability, transportation, income, health services and the challenges faced by rural seniors are among the issues she will be dealing with in her job, noting that a council of 30 senior advisors has been appointed to assist, including a representative from the Tri-Cities.
Allowing seniors to remain in their homes should be the goal, and she said it was ageist to say people should give up their independence and move to residential care just because they are old. "Have some respect for people who lived a full life for knowing what they want to do."
The first annual forum organized by retired Terry Fox business teacher Ken Kuhn, also tackled the topic of transportation and the transit referendum, with Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore and Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart urging people to vote 'Yes' for an increase in HandyDart services and more frequent bus service, among other things.
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Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore urged people to vote 'Yes' for a .05% hike in the sales tax to pay for transportation improvements in the future, including a 30% increase in the popular HandyDart service.
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart echoed his comments, saying that investment is required for the region's liveability, and without more buses to the Evergreen Line, the new $1.4 billion system scheduled to open in the fall of 2016, won't be properly serviced. "We would need 10,000 parking spaces," around Evergreen Line stations to accommodate cars instead, which is not in the plan.
Port Moody mayor Mike Clay said the best way his city can help seniors is to keep taxes down, but he said that's difficult to do because of the demand for services, and amenities. He also admitted PoMo could do more to provide services for seniors, and is looking at ways to make the site of the old firehall on Ioco Road a place for semi-assisted or seniors' housing
"We want to plan a community where you can get around and have amenities nearby," Clay said.
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