Skip to Main content

9.29°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 12, 2020 3:23 PM -

Feds pledge one-time benefit top-up to seniors in COVID-19 aid

Share On

feds-pledge-one-time-benefit-top-up-to-seniors-in-covid-19-aid

Diane Janvier Dugan poses with her 90-year-old mother Rosine Janvier. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Diane Janvier Dugan

The federal government is giving seniors a one-time, tax-free top-up payment to help manage extra costs associated with COVID-19.

Seniors Minister Deb Schulte says seniors who receive old age security will get $300, and those who receive the guaranteed income supplement will receive $200.

In all, the $2.5-billion measure will provide payments to 6.7 million seniors, Schulte says.

She says many have faced an increase in the cost of living as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, from more for dispensing fees for medications or delivery fees for food and services.

She also says their savings have taken a beating as stock markets have tumbled.

The government is also announcing that it won't suspend OAS and GIS payments to seniors who forget to file their taxes on time.

Latest news

carney-says-details-of-federal-return-to-office-plan-expected-within-weeks

CanadaDec 08, 2025

Carney says details of federal return-to-office plan expected within weeks

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will soon clarify how often public servants will be required to work from their offices, signalling that updated expectations should become clearer in the coming weeks. His comments came during a discussion with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the mayor’s monthly breakfast event hosted by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal. Carney said in-person attendance requirements will not be uniform across the federal workforce and will instead reflect employees’ roles, responsibilities and seniority. He noted that the gover

burnaby-rcmp-seizes-high-value-stolen-goods-after-search-at-vancouver-home

Burnaby RCMP seizes high value stolen goods after search at Vancouver home

Burnaby RCMP says a coordinated investigation into organized retail theft has led to the recovery of about $40,000 in stolen merchandise following a search at a Vancouver residence earlier this week. The operation was launched after the detachment’s Community Response Team received information that high end clothing was being resold through an online marketplace. Officers from the Community Response Team and the Bike Section executed the warrant on November 19, locating more than 230 items linked to stores in Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam and West Vancouver. Police also seized more than $2,0

air-transat-pilots-issue-strike-notice-as-contract-talks-stall-flights-set-to-wind-down-early-next-week

CanadaDec 08, 2025

Air Transat pilots issue strike notice as contract talks stall, flights set to wind down early next week

Air Transat travellers are being told to prepare for significant disruption after the union representing the airline’s 750 pilots served a 72-hour strike notice. The Air Line Pilots Association says its members will walk off the job Wednesday morning unless contract talks with Transat A.T. Inc. show meaningful progress. The notice follows nearly a year of negotiations and a 21-day cooling-off period that ends December 10, the first day pilots can legally strike or the company can issue a lockout. Transat says it is continuing round-the-clock discussions but warned that flight operations will

AlbertaDec 08, 2025

Heavy snowfall and high winds expected across northern and southern Alberta through Tuesday

Northern and southeastern Alberta are bracing for significant winter weather as a fast-moving system pushes across the province. Environment Canada says communities throughout the Peace Region, including Grande Prairie and areas near Athabasca, could receive 15 to 30 centimetres of snow by late Monday, with some brief pauses possible before the system intensifies again. South of Edmonton, a winter storm watch has been issued for regions around Red Deer and Medicine Hat. Forecasters warn the incoming front may deliver heavy rain, strong winds and periods of snow, creating unpredictable conditio

nine-year-old-child-dies-after-collision-involving-large-vehicle-in-surreys-newton-area

Nine-year-old child dies after collision involving large vehicle in Surrey’s Newton area

A nine-year-old child has died following a collision near a Surrey elementary school on Friday afternoon. Surrey Police Service confirmed the death on Sunday, noting the child had been receiving emergency treatment at a local hospital since the incident. Police say the child was struck by a large cube van–style vehicle at about 2:35 p.m. in the Newton neighbourhood, an area that has seen ongoing concerns from parents and school staff about traffic safety around school zones. Investigators note the driver involved has been cooperating with officers. According to Surrey Police Service, early f

Related News

Carney says details of federal return-to-office plan expected within weeks

Carney says details of federal return-to-office plan expected within weeks

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will soon clarify how often public servants will be required to work from their offices, signalling that updated expectations should become clearer in the coming weeks. His comments came during a discussion with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the mayor’s monthly breakfast event hosted by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal. Carney said in-person attendance requirements will not be uniform across the federal workforce and will instead reflect employees’ roles, responsibilities and seniority. He noted that the gover

Air Transat pilots issue strike notice as contract talks stall, flights set to wind down early next week

Air Transat pilots issue strike notice as contract talks stall, flights set to wind down early next week

Air Transat travellers are being told to prepare for significant disruption after the union representing the airline’s 750 pilots served a 72-hour strike notice. The Air Line Pilots Association says its members will walk off the job Wednesday morning unless contract talks with Transat A.T. Inc. show meaningful progress. The notice follows nearly a year of negotiations and a 21-day cooling-off period that ends December 10, the first day pilots can legally strike or the company can issue a lockout. Transat says it is continuing round-the-clock discussions but warned that flight operations will

Woman dies after vehicle crashes near Golden Ears Bridge, RCMP investigating

Woman dies after vehicle crashes near Golden Ears Bridge, RCMP investigating

Ridge Meadows RCMP are examining the circumstances surrounding a fatal single–vehicle crash that occurred near the Golden Ears Bridge on Saturday evening. Officers were called to the south end of the bridge at about 8:30 p.m. after reports that a northbound vehicle had gone out of control. Police say a witness saw the vehicle veer off course and strike a light pole. The woman driving the vehicle was the only person inside. Despite immediate efforts by the witness and first responders, she died at the scene. Investigators believe speed may have played a role in the collision. Officers are ask

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital