A Conservative Government will continue standing up for Seniors, says Benoit
Lloydminster (April 15, 2011) – Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament and Conservative Party Candidate for Vegreville-Wainwright said today that a re-elected Conservative Government will add elder abuse to the Criminal Code to help reduce the number of crimes committed against seniors. Leon explained that this measure will build on the long record of Conservative support for seniors, and the many initiatives introduced by the Conservative government over the past five years to combat elder abuse – measures outlined in a recent campaign brochure focused on seniors that Leon sent to all seniors organizations and living facilities throughout the constituency.
“Our Conservative Government has taken significant action since we were first elected in 2006 to improve the quality of life for Canadian seniors, but there is certainly more that can and should be done,” said Leon. “Our Seniors worked hard to build a better country for future generations, and although most seniors receive the respect and dignity they deserve, too many are still victims of crimes such as assault, neglect, and fraud. That is why a re-elected Conservative Government will add vulnerability due to age to the list of aggravating factors to be considered by the courts when sentencing criminals who commit offences against elderly Canadians.”
Leon said other measures his Conservative Government has taken to combat elder abuse include:
- establishing the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI) to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information about the supports available to seniors;
- launching an elder abuse awareness campaign; and
- increasing funding for the New Horizons for Seniors program to raise awareness of financial abuse of seniors.
“It is unfortunate that the opposition coalition voted against measures in our recent budget that would have helped seniors in Vegreville-Wainwright and right across Canada – simply because they preferred to force a costly and unnecessary election on Canadians,” added Leon. “These measures, which the opposition voted against, would have provided an additional $10 million over two years in funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program, increased the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low income seniors by up to $600, and encouraged more doctors and nurses to work in rural areas.”
Leon concluded by stating that a re-elected majority Conservative Government will re-introduce these measures.
