Canada’s overall population is older than ever. As more baby boomers retire in the coming years, policymakers will need to consider how they can meet the needs of an older population.
Sunil Johal | Professor in Public Policy and Society, University of Toronto
It says nothing about why it’s a problem that people with high incomes also get this (other than it’s unfair).
That’s a pretty good reason. It’s using the income of taxpayers to subsidize seniors with above average income. Yes, about half of that is clawed back, but it’s a poor use of resources.
It then suggests making it more complicated (increasing overhead) so that poor people can get more.
Payouts are already scaled by income. Changing the scaling rates does not increase complexity, but it does improve fairness.
That’s a pretty good reason. It’s using the income of taxpayers to subsidize seniors with above average income. Yes, about half of that is clawed back, but it’s a poor use of resources.
Payouts are already scaled by income. Changing the scaling rates does not increase complexity, but it does improve fairness.