Federal-provincial income support for low income seniors with limited Canadian residence

While the Canadian public pension system has been lauded as an international success story in reducing low income incidence among seniors, this trend is not reflected among those with limited residency in the country. Their low-income incidence and income disparity has been increasing from the 1980’s through the 1990’s. As a result of limited residency, these individuals are not eligible for federal retirement income programs that are a major source of income for eligible low-income Canadians. This study assesses the interactions between federal and provincial programs in the country’s three most populous provinces and the income adequacy they provide for elderly citizens with limited residency relative to other seniors with longer residency periods. Policy options to address the income disparity of this population are identified and evaluated. The study concludes with general recommendations for reform along with some implementation strategies.