Seniors in several locations across B.C. took a walk for a reason Thursday (March 21) morning.
In White Rock, as well as at locations in Vernon, Terrace, Ladysmith, Kamloops and Prince George, seniors gathered with signs, posters and placards for the Tin Cup March for Fair Senior’s Pensions, to draw attention to the plight of seniors living in poverty.
In South Surrey, a small group of seniors gathered outside South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s office and marched around the area with signs saying “We want change now – not charity” and “1-2-3-4, we’re sick and tired of being poor,” among others.
This event marks the inaugural march for the Semiahmoo Peninsula. The original was started in Vernon just last year by organizer Carole Fawcett, and has expanded across B.C. since.
“It’s growing, and I think it’s going to grow even more, moving forward,” said White Rock/South Surrey march organizer Sue Reid, who has heard there’s about 15 seniors who are homeless and living in their cars – if they’re lucky enough to have a car – in White Rock.
READ ALSO: March for Fair Seniors’ Pensions set for March 21 in White Rock
“When they only make $17,000 with old age pension and the Canadian poverty threshold is $25,252 a year, it’s clear (seniors) don’t have enough. (Old Age Pension) should be increased up to poverty level.”
As cars driving past honked their horns in support of the march, Reid noted more and more seniors are unable to afford the cost of living.
She said she knows of one family who say they are supplementing their senior family members every month – taking funds out of their own, stretched budget – because they can’t make ends meet without the monthly help.
“These are just regular, everyday people, just like us… you see (the poverty) happening more and more.”
Vernon’s protest saw close to 100 individuals march, Fawcett said.
“The turnout is amazing and I am just so touched,” she said.
Fawcett’s goal is that the government will increase pensions, to reflect the rising inflation across the country.
Because it was spring break, youth as well as seniors came out in support in Terrace, with sunny views of the city’s snow-capped mountains as a backdrop for the march, gathering outside the Tillicum Twin Theatres.
“We were the second community that came on board with the organizer,” said Diana Penner, president of Skeena Valley Seniors Society.
The demonstration, which later turned into a rally to the office of MLA Ellis Ross, MP Taylor Bachrach and to city hall, was also joined by some young faces who held the signs of “Seniors on government pension live in poverty” and “Raise government pensions above the poverty line.”
In Ladysmith, seniors marched along 1st Avenue in support of the march, in solidarity with all the other seniors and events around the province.
Visit seniorstincup.org for more details.
– with files from Vernon Morning Star, Terrace Standard