Fresh from backing up the prime minister on a charm offensive in China, Richmond MP Alice Wong walked straight into the mini-storm that is the impending retirement age increase.
Wong was probably still fighting jet lag and, considering she was the PMs Chinese-speaking special play, was perhaps still thinking more in Cantonese than Canadian when cornered by media in Ottawa last week.
Wong the Minister of State for Seniors was batting off questions about the governments move to increase the eligibility age for old age security, possibly from 65 to 67.
The Richmond MP pulled herself from the media scrum long enough to talk to the News and attempt to comfort local seniors or people closing in on retirement.
Theres a lot of misinformation out there and I want to assure your readers that their future is safe, said Wong.
Those currently receiving benefits will not be affected, nor will those that will soon be retiring.
We dont have the exact age or numbers on how far back that will go yet. I will let your readers know as soon as I do.
Demographic challenges, the rapid ageing of the population and forecasted labour shortages are the Conservative governments justifications for raising the retirement age.
In simple terms, Wong said the government has to make sure theres enough money in the pot to support seniors relying on a state pension.
Looking at the long term, in order that the next generation are looked after in retirement, we have to make some changes, she added.
I want to let Richmond people know that we will protect the financial security of our seniors, so the next generation will be able to enjoy the same benefits that seniors enjoy today.
If we dont do something now, the cost will be three times as much. And if we do bring in changes, it will be gradual.
While Richmond and Canadian seniors face financial challenges in the future, Wong told how the problems facing Chinese seniors are very different.
During the trip to her native land, she met with her Chinese counterpart, who filled her in the issues concerning seniors in their country.
In China, their ageing challenge is more serious in the rural areas because theyre losing their young people to the cities, Wong said.
So, theyre starting to encourage farmers over the age of 45 to start saving for their retirement.
And theyre trying to make their cities more age friendly. Many buildings of six floors dont even have an elevator.
It was the second time Wong joined the prime minister on a trip to China, an opportunity that she acknowledged was very likely motivated by her ability to speak fluent Cantonese and Mandarin.
Of course, the fact that I can speak Cantonese and Mandarin is beneficial, she said.
I was also the MC for the kick off of the Summer Tourism Marketing Campaign.
I understand the culture and the commercial climate, so Im sure its one of the main reasons I was asked to accompany the prime minister.
Wong said she was even able to name-drop her adopted home into many conversations with Chinese delegates and powerful businesspeople.
Theres been a 25 per cent increase in visitors to Canada from China (in the last year), she said.
I pointed out that when they fly to Vancouver, they dont land there, they land in Richmond.
I take that opportunity to point out all the great things we have, such as the Olympic oval and that China House was based here during the Olympics.
They remember the Winter Olympics well, so they are impressed when they hear Richmond mentioned.
