Alberta seniors can expect a five-year freeze on provincial property taxes, as well as other tax relief, the Progressive Conservatives pledged as part of their platform for the March 3 provincial election.
Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach at an Edmonton seniors centre Friday.
Tory Leader Ed Stelmach made the commitments Friday morning in the cafeteria of a downtown seniors centre in Edmonton.
"The Stelmach government will do more to ensure seniors have access to the resources, to the supports and facilities, that will help them remain active and healthy in their communities."
Under the plan:
- The education portion of seniors property taxes will remain at 2004 levels for at least the next five years.
- Tax credits will be increased for families who look after dependent adults.
- Disability tax deductions will be raised.
- Tax deductions for people in care will be increased.
"I feel that the seniors have not had a fair, square deal," said 84-year-old Irene Maguire, one of about a dozen seniors on hand for the announcement. Maguire said she liked what she heard, but still thinks the next government should do more to make sure people who care for seniors are better paid.
"I'm not a caregiver, but if anybody had to take care of me, I would want them to be well paid — and I don't think they are being well paid," she said.
Thresa Ramsay, 70, who was a caregiver for 30 years, agreed that more needs to be done to increase pay levels for people who care for family members.
"I didn't care much about the money, and I never thought that when I retired that I would be this poor," Ramsay said.
Alberta Liberals managed to take advantage of the Tory event for their own purpose, when a worker handed out a sharply worded news release.
"The truth is that the Stelmach government has let seniors down, time and time again," the release said.
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Alberta Votes 2008 »
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More Alberta Votes Headlines »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
