Provincial Liberal leadership candidate John Abbott has announced a plan to introduce a targeted basic income for seniors aged 65 and older.

Abbott says seniors are especially vulnerable to the high cost of living, and he says introducing a basic income for senior Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is one way to ensure that poverty among the older population is addressed.

He intends to ensure that low income seniors will have a targeted income to cover basic, food, light and heat. “We’ve got to make sure it doesn’t have an adverse impact on any other benefits, so we’ve just got to work out those mechanics after May 3rd.”

Abbott is one of two people vying for the leadership of the party. The other candidate is John Hogan.