A private members bill from Brampton Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla would allow immigrant seniors to qualify for Old Age Security after spending just three years here resulted in calls of outrage to Bayshore Broadcasting News.
All but one of the callers denounced the proposal that would see the residency requirement reduced from 10 years.
Some of the callers stated that there is no way these new Canadians should be allowed to take advantage of the Old Age Security with first having contributed to society as a whole.
They say 10 years would give them ample time to pay taxes and become a part of the community before being eligible for the pension at age 65.
Another caller stated she has worked all of here life to be able to get her pension and its just not right that a new Canadian could do the same after a wait of only three years.
Only one caller supported the proposed move, saying the older new Canadian could very well provide day care for their family, thus allow both parents to work and help contribute to society as a whole.
Two callers suggest this is nothing more than an election ploy by Dhalla, who’s riding is composed of mostly new Canadians who would support such a move.
Bruce Grey Owen Sound MP Larry Miller says he too is opposed to this change and will be voting against it if the Private members bill ever makes to third reading.