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Williams Lake seniors raise the alarm on poverty

"We have to do something," said organizer Tina Derksen

Once again Williams Lake citizens rallied for the government to help raise seniors out of poverty. 

They joined other communities across B.C. as part of the Seniors Tin Cup movement calling for change not charity for seniors living below the poverty line. 

"The government needs to look after seniors," said Nora Mark of Horsefly. "I'm OK but what about the people who don't have enough? Everything has doubled - gas, groceries - except OAP." 

Walking alongside Mark was Rozetta Racher, carrying a sign that read 'Need more benefits and money for seniors.'

Racher said some seniors are doing fine but others are not. 

Tina Derksen is the president of the OAPO in Williams Lake who helped organize the rally. 

"I don't know if the federal government sees us," she said. "Seniors are a huge part of the voting public." 

When asked about the push by Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet that the government hike OAS payouts for seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 by 10 per cent, Derksen said she would rather see an income review and "give it to the people who actually need it." 

Arlene Rousselle held a sign reading 'Seniors made this country, Respect us,' and said seniors are hardly being acknowledged, even in the present provincial election campaign.

"There is no personal gain for the power that be, but there is an opportunity during the election to address the issue," she added. 

Charlene Willburn was a single mother who raised two children and today as a senior lives on $1,700 a month with her rent more than $800. 

"Some people living in my apartment building are making $1,200 a month," she said. 

Joyce McCann who turned 100-years-old seven months ago lives in Glen Arbor. 

She had not been outside in months but felt it was important to join the rally. 

'Seniors deserve respect and a living wage,' her sign noted. 

It was the third tin cup rally in Williams Lake and the second one Derksen had organized. 

Rallies were also being held in Vernon, Terrace, Vanderhoof, Salmon Arm and Kamloops.

Derksen said one in four seniors lives below the poverty line, with women in particular bearing the brunt of low pensions and a lack of support for costs like hearing aids and dental care.

To find out more, go to www.seniorstincup.org.

With files from Ruth Lloyd

 



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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