The cost and origin of specialty drugs were a hot topic at a St. Albert election forum held Monday afternoon.
But candidates at the event, organized by Seniors United Now, also faced questions about affordable housing, pension programs and senior income splitting. One final question asked whom they are more likely to represent, their constituents or party lines.
Most of the candidates running for Member of Parliament for the St. Albert-Edmonton riding in the Oct. 19 election attended the forum. Andrea Oldham, who is running for the Green Party, was absent.
The forum was held in a speed-dating format. Candidates sat at four tables in the room, speaking to a group of voters for 20 minutes before moving on to the next table.
Reducing the cost of medication
One question concerning to many seniors at one table was how the parties would reduce the high cost of specialty drugs, and ensure that medication imported from other countries, often generic drugs, are of the same quality as brand products.
NDP candidate Darlene Malayko said her party wants to create a national pharmacare plan, which would ensure that all drugs are purchased in bulk by the government and not by private companies. This would reduce the cost of drugs, she said.
"We would have to make sure that we would purchase from reputable distributors," she said.
Michael Cooper, the Conservative candidate, rejected the NDP's pharmacare proposal. He said a one-size-fits-all plan would not address the needs of most seniors.
He could not speak to the quality control concerns. But the Conservatives also wanted to purchase drugs in bulk to keep costs down, he said.
Liberal candidate Beatrice Ghettuba said she had not seen policies for quality control and reducing the cost of drugs.
But she said that both are important to the well-being of seniors and promised to take on this issue.
Brent Rathgeber, who is running as an Independent in this election, said he also supported buying drugs in bulk.
He added that public health is a federal concern and promised to take the residents' concerns over quality control to the minister of health.
Increasing senior benefits
Asked what the parties would do to increase Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits to keep up with inflation, Rathgeber said Albertans have been short-changed.
The government should base benefit payments on the cost of living in different regions instead of the national average, he said.
Otherwise, people in depressed parts of the country receive higher benefits because their cost of living is lower, while those in wealthier parts may not get enough.
Ghettuba said the Liberals want to restore the eligibility for old age security and guaranteed income supplement back to 65.
The party also wants to boost the monthly non-taxable benefit to OAS recipients who live on low income. A new seniors price index will make sure that benefits keep up with the rising cost of living, she said.
"Seniors that have worked for the country should not have to slide into poverty," she said.
Malayko said the NDP wants to increase the benefits for old age security and the pension plan. But she did not have more information available on that, she said.
The Conservatives do not plan to increase benefit payments, said Cooper.
He said the Canada Pension Plan is "sustainable and it is sound" and the party has given seniors "a whole range of options and flexibilities."
He added that benefit payments have gone up in the past.
"And so has inflation," said one resident.
Retaining pension income splitting, tax-free savings accounts
The Conservatives want to maintain pension income splitting for seniors and double the amounts that can be invested in tax-free savings accounts, said Cooper.
The Conservatives have also committed to a $2,000 single seniors tax credit "in the event of a reelection," he said.
Malayko said the NDP would not retain pension income splitting "because it only helps seniors with the highest income."
The party would offer increased old age security and pensions instead, and return the age of eligibility back to 65, she said.
Rathgeber said he would keep both because they help Canadians plan for retirement and savings and make them less dependable on public programs, such as the Canada Pension Plan.
"I support those public programs but I suggest they are inadequate for many people's needs," he said.
He also said there should be a judicial recourse if the government changes pension plans that were promised to people.
Ghettuba said pension income splitting will remain intact and the Liberals plan to set the limit for the tax-free savings account around $5,000.
But many residents have approached her about wanting it to "be a little higher, higher than we are proposing," she said. She now wants to bring this issue up with her party.
Affordable housing
The Liberal party also wants to prioritize the construction of affordable housing for seniors as part of its commitment of $20-billion in social infrastructure spending.
"At the moment, there is too much expense in health care related to looking after seniors," said Ghettuba. "This needs to be recouped into care in homes and alternative housing, to give seniors respect and dignity and care."
Rathgeber said affordable housing is a complicated issue that has been largely delegated to the provinces. But the federal government has the money and the ability to fund these projects, he said.
He said he supports keeping seniors in their homes longer. It not only benefits the seniors but also keeps costs down for the taxpayers, who fund the expensive long and acute-care beds in hospitals.
Malayko acknowledged that investment in housing has fallen over the past 25 years and the provincial governments can't afford to build housing. She said the NDP has a housing strategy.
Cooper meanwhile, stressed that the Conservatives have taken several steps to improve the overall affordability for homeowners.
He mentioned the first-time homebuyers' tax credit, which helps with the purchase of a home, and cuts to taxes for many seniors.
There is also funding available that provides matching dollars for infrastructure programs, he said. But the federal government's role "is not to build housing across Canada," he said.
Whom do they represent, party or constituents?
Three of the candidates were also asked whom they would vote for if they had to choose between their constituents and following party lines.
Cooper said his role is to represent the constituents and to move their issues forward within the caucus.
"That being said our parliamentary system is structured on parties," he said. "That's how issues move forward, and that's how things get done."
He used the opportunity to strike a blow at Rathgeber. As an Independent, Rathgeber does not have a seat at the table and is "completely shut out of the process," he said.
Rathgeber later responded that he expects the election will either create a minority or a coalition government.
"Every vote will count because whoever forms government, they will have to reach across the aisle to get anything done," he said.
Ghettuba said she is a Liberal but she does not allow herself to be governed by ideology and dogma.
"I cannot come back to the riding and look you in the face and tell you I was forced to vote that way," she said. "My allegiance, I know where it lies."
