Hon. Rose-Marie Losier-Cool:

My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate and relates to Senator Callbeck's question.

I have recently met with seniors in Canada. I must first say that Canada's seniors have a good memory and they respect the work the Leader of the Government in the Senate did when she was the minister responsible for seniors.

Nonetheless, it seems that seniors are having a hard time making ends meet. Many of our seniors are living below the poverty line. That is shameful for a country like Canada, after the contribution these people made during their working lives.

I want to come back to the guaranteed income supplement. The Fédération des aînés du Canada and FADOQ in Quebec have raised the fact that seniors are having a hard time getting this guaranteed income supplement. Many seniors are unaware that it exists; others know it exists, but do not know how to apply for it; still others know it exists and know how to apply for it, but find the current form too difficult to understand and fill out, especially if they are illiterate.

The Fédération and FADOQ would like a detailed explanation of what is impeding the very simple solution — it is not a monetary solution — that would allow a person to automatically start receiving the guaranteed income supplement on their 65th birthday without having to do anything but celebrate their birthday.

I would like you to give me as detailed an explanation as possible and to perhaps do so in this chamber through a delayed answer.

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