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(Open letter from the president of Réseau FADOQ, Gisèle Tassé-Goodman)

Québec has always been known as a kind-hearted society that takes care of everyone, regardless of age, city of residence or income.

This is still the case today. But can we do more to protect the most vulnerable, many of whom are seniors? The answer is, yes, we can.

An injustice that needs to be righted

In 2024, I hope that the Québec government will remedy an injustice that has existed for too long and been widely denounced. It must put an end to the penalties imposed on Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) retirement pensions for people who withdraw a disability pension between the ages of 60 and 65.

For several years now, Réseau FADOQ has been calling for an end to these penalties, which affect some of the most vulnerable seniors in our society. The Tribunal administratif du Québec (TAQ) and the Commission des droits de la personne et de la jeunesse have ruled that these penalties are discriminatory. The government has appealed the TAQ’s decision.

Better protection for renters

Housing was a hot topic in 2023. I’m not telling you anything new when I say that it will remain so in the coming year. As is the case for many other people, housing is a key concern for seniors.

In 2024, I want senior tenants to be better protected.

Bill 31, which amends some provisions of housing legislation, has not yet been passed into law. As we did when we were in parliamentary committee, we are calling for the introduction of measures to better protect seniors from eviction.

With its bill, the Legault government also has the opportunity to legislate in the area of private residences for seniors (RPAs). On behalf of RPA tenants, we have called for better regulation of prices for personal services in these establishments.

We have also proposed measures to stem the tide of small RPP closures. Smaller RPPs are generally located in the regions, and their closure can uproot tenants who must then move to larger centres.

Major expenses

Although health care is generally free in Québec, many expenses are borne by the population. This is particularly true of hearing and vision care. For seniors, these are major expenses. And they are even more difficult to bear in a context of generalized inflation on basic products.

At the moment, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) program reimburses only one hearing aid. This is unacceptable, especially since otolaryngologists and audioprosthesists strongly advise against wearing a single hearing aid in the case of bilateral hearing loss, which represents the vast majority of cases.

What is more, the purchase of prescription glasses or contact lenses is not covered by the public plan. Réseau FADOQ suggests that RAMQ reimburse low-income earners for the purchase of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Uncorrected hearing and vision loss can lead seniors to isolate themselves, with a myriad of consequences.

When it comes to budgeting, many seniors today have to choose between groceries, rent and health care. Is this what we want for those who built modern Québec? The answer is no.

For 2024, I want us to provide seniors with a quality of life that allows them to live in dignity.