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C-261At second reading in the House of Commons

Law to Increase Old Age Pension Amounts

Boost to Old Age Security Payments

Introduced Feb 9, 2026·Last discussed Mar 19, 2026
Summary

This proposed law, called "An Act to change the Old Age Security Act (amount of full pension)", wants to give older Canadians more money each month. It focuses on the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, which is a monthly payment the government gives to most people 65 and older. The proposed law would change how much money people get from OAS. It would make the full OAS pension amount bigger. This change would affect anyone who receives or will receive the Old Age Security pension. This includes most seniors in Canada. If the proposed law passes, these seniors could see a boost in their monthly income. The exact amount of the increase isn't specified, but the goal is to give seniors more financial support. This matters because many seniors rely on the Old Age Security pension to cover their living expenses. A bigger pension could help them afford things like food, housing, and healthcare. It could also reduce poverty among older Canadians and improve their overall quality of life.

What MPs Are Saying
Bloc Québécois
Claude DeBellefeuilleBloc QuébécoisSupports

I want to bring in a new bill that will change how much money older people get. In my area, many people are over 65. I hear that people can't pay for what they need. People who worked hard their whole lives should not have to worry about money when they retire. Right now, the better pension only starts at age 75, which isn't fair. I want to fix this and give older people the good retirement they earned, starting at age 65.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Taxes & Government SpendingExpand government programs significantly

Increasing Old Age Security pension payments requires increased government spending, moving it towards the +2 end of the spectrum. The magnitude of the increase would determine the exact placement, but it clearly indicates a move towards expanding government programs.

Housing & Cost of LivingGovernment housing investment

Increasing Old Age Security pension payments could alleviate some cost of living pressures for seniors, including housing costs, moving it slightly towards the +2 end of the spectrum.

This bill
Bill Quality
Solid

This proposed law increases the Old Age Security pension by $845 per month starting in July 2025. It also removes some outdated rules about how much people can earn before their pension is affected, which could help some low-income seniors.

Things to Watch For

  • The increase only starts in 2025, so current retirees won't see the benefit immediately.
  • It's unclear if this increase will keep up with the rising cost of living in the future.
  • The law doesn't explain how the government will pay for this increase, which could affect future budgets.
  • The changes to employment income deductions might not help seniors with significant investment income.
Progress

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