'We know we've got to fix some things in order to rebuild the trust'

Carolyn Bennett MD, MP for Toronto-St. Paul’s, is in Sault Ste. Marie and hosted a meet-and-greet event at the campaign office of Liberal candidate Terry Sheehan this afternoon.

As they addressed local party members and supporters, she and Sheehan outlined the Liberal plan for Canadian seniors, the budget, and repairing the government’s relationship with Aboriginal peoples.

In addition to visits to the Seniors Drop In Centre and Sault College today, Bennett is scheduled to speak at the First Nations Woman Conference this Saturday.

Speaking to media today, Bennett pointed out that the first announcement Liberal leader Justin Trudeau made in his campaign was regarding First Nations education and opportunities.

“The overreaching goal is to change the relationship. It is about reconciliation. It is about ‘adversaries no more’,” she said. “It is about getting into a respectful relationship based on peace and friendship treaties where there is this goal of nation to nation, government to government.”

“I am particularly thrilled to see that in our platform the issue of helping the provinces and territories make sure that the curricula changed so that all Canadians understand the shared history including the difficult parts.”

Bennett said the Liberals have accepted all 94 recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which was completed in June of this year.

“To call an inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women is obviously part of the TRC, but it is on its own hugely important… We really don’t understand how Prime Minister Harper ended up on the wrong side of history on this when it becomes so clear,” she said.

It’s a Liberal priority to get Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people on a good path, something Bennett said would economically and sociologically benefit the nation a whole.

She admitted that the Liberal Party has made mistakes in the past, citing Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s proposed 1969 Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian policy (commonly referred to as the White Paper) which would have, in an attempt at equality, abolished the Indian Act and dismantle the legal relationship between Aboriginal citizens and the Canadian government.

“We know we’ve got to fix some things in order to rebuild the trust.”

Part of that important rebuild is the acknowledgement of a number of Indigenous Liberal candidates who are currently seeking election across the country - candidates she described as “spectacular.”

“Everywhere I go, I am just totally inspired by these amazing candidates that I think give us an opportunity as a party. First Nations, Inuit, Metis Canadians, or members of those communities, are able to see themselves in the candidates and see that they will have a voice in Parliament in a Liberal government.”

A statement released by the campaign office of Liberal Candidate Terry Sheehan follows.

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SAULT STE. MARIE - Liberal candidate Terry Sheehan was joined on the campaign trail today by the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, MD, MP for Toronto-St. Paul’s to talk about real change for Canadian seniors at the Seniors Drop in Centre and Liberal Campaign office downtown.  

“With record levels of household debt and an economy in recession, it is no wonder why Canadians in Sault Ste. Marie– and across the country – are worried about their retirement,” said Mr. Sheehan. “Right now, on average, a retired person receives just $618 per month from the Canada Pension Plan – hardly enough to live on. Our seniors have worked their entire lives, and should not have struggle to make ends meet.

As part of our three-point plan to create jobs, grow the middle class, and help those working hard to join the middle class, a Liberal government will work with the provinces and territories to significantly reform our retirement security system by:

    •    Restoring the eligibility age for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement to 65;
    •    Lifting hundreds of thousands of seniors out of poverty by immediately boosting the Guaranteed Income Supplement for single low-income seniors by ten percent;
    •    Introducing a new Seniors Price Index – in recognition of the fact that many seniors live on fixed incomes – to make sure that Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement keep up with rising costs;
    •    Beginning discussions with the provinces and territories, workers, employers and others on how to enhance the Canada Pension Plan within our first three months in government;
    •    Not cutting pension income splitting for seniors;
    •    Introducing a more flexible and accessible Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit; and
    •    Prioritizing significant new investment in affordable housing and seniors’ facilities as part of a Liberal government’s commitment to a new, ten-year investment of nearly $20 billion in social infrastructure.

“Every day, I speak with people who tell me that they are struggling – that they are working longer and harder just to make ends meet, that they have to choose between saving for their kids’ education or for their own retirement. That’s just not right,” said Mr. Sheehan. “Only Liberals have a plan to ensure that all seniors are able to retire in security and dignity, and that all Canadians have a real and fair chance at success.”

Dr. Bennett added: “Ottawa needs Terry Sheehan as a strong voice for Sault Ste. Marie. Justin Trudeau has the best plan because he listens to the best team! In order for Canada to move forward with real growth and jobs in this region, Sault Ste. Marie deserves a Member of Parliament who listens, works with the community and will be heard in Ottawa by a leader prepared to act on the bottom-up solutions.”

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(PHOTO: Carolyn Bennett, MD, MP for Toronto-St. Paul’s, and local Liberal candidate Terry Sheehan at his campaign office on Friday, September 18, 2015. Donna Hopper/SooToday)