Local senior challenges others to donate government COVID payment

Photo: The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the $300 payment to seniors Monday.

A West Kelowna woman is donating her $300 the federal government has given her this week, and she's hoping other Canadians in her position will do the same.

Earlier this week, the federal government announced all seniors who are currently eligible for the Old Age Security Pension will be given a $300 one-time, tax-free payment this week, without needing to apply. The government said the payment would “help with extra costs during the pandemic.”

Vivian Carnahan is one of the seniors who'll be receiving the money, but she says the cash should be going to someone who's been significantly financially impacted by the pandemic. 

“There are so many people that don't need it and there are so many people that do need it, and it's pretty clear to me where the money should go. Why didn't they apply a filter through Revenue Canada, pick a certain income level and cut it off there,” she said.

“I live in a neighbourhood where there are tons of people my age and probably not a mortgage to be had on most of the houses of the people my age. That's just one snippet of the Kelowna area.”

Instead of keeping the money, Carnahan is donating it to two charities – Meals on Wheels and Dying With Dignity. And she hopes others in her position will think about doing the same.

“I challenge other people who are financially stable and getting this freebie, to put it to good use,” she said. “I think it'd be really cool if you could spread it across Canada and put the money to good use.”

On Wednesday, the federal government announced that it's projecting a $343.2 billion deficit this year, due to the pandemic.