Many seniors in SD & SG are feeling the effects of a tight budget. When I found out that mass murderer Clifford Olson was receiving Old Age Security (OAS) I was outraged! I believe it is wrong and unfair that Olson, who murdered 11 children, is receiving the same entitlements as seniors in SD & SG who work hard and play by the rules.
 
When the Prime Minister was made aware of this, he was also outraged and took immediate action to rectify the issue. Last week Minister Finley introduced the Eliminating Entitlements for Prisoners bill. This bill will suspend Old Age Security benefits for inmates in federal penitentiaries, and we are encouraging provincial and territorial institutions to do the same.
 
Implementation will begin with inmates who are incarcerated in federal penitentiaries for two years or more. Our Government will work with provinces and territories to continue implementation in provincial and territorial institutions for criminals serving sentences of greater than 90 days.
 
OAS benefits are designed to help seniors meet their immediate basic needs and maintain a minimum standard of living in retirement. They are certainly not meant to provide criminals like Olson with luxuries. I strongly support this legislation and our Governments continuing support of law-abiding seniors.
 
Guy Lauzon, MP