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King-Vaughan MP Deb Schulte named Minister of Seniors

November 28, 2019   ·   0 Comments

Written By MARK PAVILONS

Local seniors may have found themselves have a stronger ally.

King-Vaughan MP Deb Schulte was welcomed into Cabinet by Prime Minister Trudeau last week, as Minister of Seniors.

Schulte said she’s both honoured and privileged to serve in this capacity. She did work on seniors’ issues in the early years of the previous government so she’s no stranger to issues facing our seniors.

Her duties won’t detract from her connection with the King-Vaughan community and she’ll continue to work for her constituents. The riding, she said, “is where the rubber hits the road.”

She’s looking forward to getting feedback from seniors and stakeholders in the region as she moves forward in her ministry.

The post is under the larger umbrella of Employment and Social Development Canada, which also includes Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough; Families, Children and Social Development Minister  Ahmed Hussen and Labour Minister Filomena Tassi.

While the mandate letters have yet to be issued, the Minister of Seniors typically deals with the needs of Canadian seniors and ensure that programs and services are developed that respond to Canada’s aging population. Priorities have traditionally included work on seniors programming, including the New Horizons for Seniors Program and benefiting from the work of the National Seniors Council.

In conjunction with the ministers of Finance and Families, Children and Social Development the seniors’ minister brings forward options to improve financial security for Canada’s seniors and those most in need.

This should include a particular focus on our commitments to index Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments to a new Seniors Price Index, and work with provinces and territories to ensure adequate and coordinated support programs to address seniors’ poverty.

It has also included supporting the implementation of national pharmacare.

Schulte’s appointment drew praise all around from her colleagues in King.

“Deb has always shows great compassion and is extremely well suited for this is very important portfolio,” said King Mayor Steve Pellegrini. “King has an aging demographic and to have the Minister of Seniors as our Member  of Parliament will ensure a great quality of life in King.”

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua echoed those sentiments:

“I am confident she will continue to serve the citizens of King-Vaughan and Canada with the same passion, commitment and dedication she has demonstrated throughout her public life.”

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