Lethbridge resident Tom Walton (left) and Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips (right) discuss the rising cost of living for seniors, August 16, 2022. (Photo: Alberta NDP)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge-West MLA calls on UCP to stop “nickel-and-diming” seniors

Aug 16, 2022 | 2:30 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – One elected official believes seniors in the province are having a tough enough time dealing with the rising cost of inflation and that the Alberta Government should not be adding to it.

Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips spoke alongside resident Tom Walton on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, to ask the United Conservative Party (UCP) government to stop “nickel-and-diming” seniors.

She says there are many examples of the UCP making life less affordable for Albertans, and in particular seniors, but one of the more recent ones has to do with mandatory driver’s medical exams.

Seniors in Alberta are required to undergo a medical examination once they reach the age of 75, again at age 80, and every two years after that to ensure they are still physically and mentally fit to drive.

Historically, these exams have been fully funded by Alberta Health Services. As of 2020, Phillips explains that doctors were no longer able to bill the province for them, meaning seniors have to pay out of pocket.

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“It meant that seniors who want to continue to drive must pay $85 or more for that exam,” says Phillips. “On top of that, there’s the license renewal fee, which can range from $21 to $91, depending on the length of renewal.”

Walton, a senior living in Lethbridge, says measures such as the change to funding for mandatory driver medical exams has himself and many other seniors worried about their finances.

“In my humble opinion, this is nothing short of yet another tax grab, a direct hit to seniors,” says Walton. “My wife and I are lucky, we are blessed and come from a somewhat privileged position compared to others. We have been able to put a little money aside to enjoy our retirement years, but many seniors are not that well-positioned.”

Walton explains that seniors who live on a fixed income are not able to adjust their budgets as easily as people who are still working.

Compounded with the rising costs of utilities, fuel, food, transportation, medication, and more, he says thousands of Albertans are being “bombarded” with increases that significantly strain their budgets.

LNN has reached out to the provincial government for additional comments.