Scores of labour activists and seniors occupied the offices of 22 Conservative MPs in Ontario on Thursday afternoon to protest possible changes in the retirement income system.

Supporters of the so-called “Blue-Grey” Alliance converged on constituency offices including the one for Finance Minister Jim Flaherty for more than two hours.

Spokesmen for the group said the protests were peaceful and several MPs scheduled meetings with seniors and their supporters in the next few weeks.

The group will also start holding town hall meetings in communities across the province to raise public awareness during the next month, said Sid Ryan, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

“Prime Minister (Stephen) Harper will soon know he will have the biggest fight of his life on his hands if he tries to go forward with any of this,” said Ryan, who joined a sit-in at Flaherty’s office in Whitby.

The Old Age Security (OAS) program became a hot issue last month when Harper suggested in a speech in Davos, Switzerland, that Canada is considering changes.

Harper did not refer to OAS, but there is speculation the government would look at raising the eligibility age from 65 to 67 to control rising program costs.

Orville Thacker, president of the Ontario Federation of Union Retirees, said in a statement they are “fed up” with the Harper government undermining the rights of women, workers and, now, vulnerable seniors.

“He’s about to learn the same lesson that seniors taught two prime ministers before him: if you touch seniors’ rights, you do so at your own peril,” he said.

Thacker added the majority of seniors are living on $25,000 a year or less after paying a lifetime of taxes.

“OAS pensions are what pays for food and rent for seniors living on fixed incomes and it helps others get by with a little bit of dignity,” he said.

In addition to the occupations in Ontario, activists and retirees held sit-ins at three MP offices in New Brunswick. Support groups also organized a noon hour rally in St.John’s, Nfld.

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