The latest entry in the Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Great Canadian Debates series tackles the resolution “Canada must stop coddling its spoiled seniors”

OTTAWA, Oct. 24, 2016 – A prominent newspaper columnist and a well-known former seniors’ rights advocate will square off over whether Canada panders too much to its seniors the latest entry in the Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Great Canadian Debates.

On Oct. 25, 2016 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente will argue in favour of the resolution: “Canada must stop coddling its spoiled seniors”.

Susan Eng, a lawyer and former executive vice-president of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, will argue against.

The event will be moderated by Peter Milliken, former speaker of the House of Commons.

We in Canada have of course always had the utmost respect for our elders. But with a wide array of tax breaks, discounts and privileges, some would say this increasingly wealthy and powerful demographic has had it too good for too long. Politicians know that seniors vote, and competition to woo a growing population of retirees is always fierce at election time.

Others would argue that after all they have done for their country, seniors deserve to get something back, and many of them are still among the most vulnerable Canadians.

So who is right, is it time for Canada to stop coddling its spoiled seniors?

Where: The Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Pl, Ottawa, ON

When: Oct. 25, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Who: Margaret Wente and Susan Eng

For tickets, click here.

To read more about the Great Canadian Debates series, click here.

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Margaret Wente is a columnist with the Globe and Mail.

Susan Eng is a lawyer and seniors’ rights advocate.

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is the only non-partisan, independent national public policy think tank in Ottawa focusing on the full range of issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

For more information, please contact Mark Brownlee, communications manager, at 613-482-8327 x105 or email at mark.brownlee@macdonaldlaurier.ca.