Bill applies to federal inmates sentenced to two or more years in prison
The Senate has voted to stop the payment of Old Age Security (OAS) benefits to federal inmates.
Bill C-31, An Act to Amend the Old Age Security Act, has now been sent to the Governor General for royal assent.
“It is wrong that convicted killers like Clifford Olsen were receiving taxpayers’ entitlements such as Old Age Security,” said Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley.
Once the legislation is passed, Old Age Security benefits will be suspended for federal inmates who have sentences of two years or more. The government will also begin negotiations with the provinces and territories to implement these changes for provincial and territorial inmates who have sentences of 90 days or more.
Low-income spouses and common-law partners of prisoners will not lose their entitlement to the income-tested Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Allowances. The Allowances are for spouses and common-law partners.
