Yves-François Blanchet pushes for a 10% OAS increase, raising budget concerns for the Trudeau government
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet outlined a series of demands on Wednesday, stating that the government must meet these requests by the end of October to avoid the risk of an early election, according to CBC.ca.
Blanchet emphasized the need for a bill, C-319, which would increase Old Age Security (OAS) payouts by 10 percent for seniors aged 65 to 74. The government had previously increased OAS payments for those aged 75 and older in 2022.
In addition to the OAS increase, Blanchet called for the government to pass private member's bill C-282, which seeks to exempt the supply-managed farm sectors, including dairy, poultry, and eggs, from future trade negotiations.
He indicated that if these demands are not fulfilled by October 29, the Bloc would begin discussions with the Conservatives and the NDP about potentially toppling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
Blanchet stated that fulfilling these two priorities would ensure the Bloc would not vote against the government before Christmas.
Blanchet asserted, “What we are proposing is good for retired persons in Quebec but also in Canada. It's good for milk, eggs, and poultry producers in Quebec but also in Canada. That's good for everybody.”
However, he noted that he has “had no discussions” with the government regarding these demands and remains uncertain about its response.
The government faces challenges in meeting these requests due to parliamentary realities. C-319 is scheduled for a vote, but the legislation must pass through a Commons committee and the Senate before becoming law.
Additionally, because it involves government spending, it requires a royal recommendation from the government for enactment, a process that typically takes months.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has indicated that the Bloc's proposed 10 percent boost would result in a net cost of $16.1bn over five years, complicating the federal government's efforts to fund new social programs and bolster military spending to meet NATO targets.
OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for low-income seniors are projected to cost approximately $80bn this fiscal year, representing a significant budget line item compared to other major programs.
As for bill C-282, which would limit future trade negotiators, it is currently before a Senate committee.
The government has little control over the duration of debates or amendments in the Senate, which is chaired by Ontario Senator Peter Boehm, who has previously expressed reservations about the legislation.
