Right Honourable Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
Room 309-S Centre Block
Ottawa ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister:

I am writing in response to your letter dated November 15, 2004.

There are seniors across this country who are eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) program but do not receive the benefit. This is simply unacceptable. In 2000, based on Statistics Canada’s estimates using longitudinal tax databases of potentially eligible seniors, 525 tax filing seniors in Prince Edward Island were potentially eligible GIS beneficiaries, but were not receiving their monthly payments.

Also in Prince Edward Island, 338 seniors were identified during the 2002 take-up initiative who were receiving Old Age Security (OAS) benefits but not GIS. Of the 338 pre-filed letters sent to these seniors over 70 percent returned the application and were put into pay.

While the take-up initiative is making a difference for those seniors identified through the tax system, there are still seniors who do not file tax returns. These seniors deserve the assistance of the government as well. As Prime Minister I am requesting that you implement whatever steps are necessary to provide the GIS benefit to all eligible seniors.

Sincerely,

Percy Downe
Senator