The province’s Seniors’ Advocate, Susan Walsh, says recent government affordability measures fail to help seniors living in poverty.

While the government announced new benefits for those on income support, including a $100 back-to-school benefit, Walsh notes these measures overlook the needs of seniors.

She points out that Newfoundland and Labrador, despite having the highest proportion of seniors in Canada, is one of only three provincial jurisdictions that do not provide free home support for those who qualify.

Walsh argues that existing programs are insufficient. ‘A well-being plan… is not poverty reduction. Five-hundred dollars a year to help with your shoveling is not poverty reduction,’ she says. ‘I would hope to hear that part of poverty reduction is to make home support free.’