A report from Canada’s auditor general (pdf) says the federal department that delivers Old Age Security (OAS) and other programs to assist seniors “did not have a comprehensive view” of the needs of Canada’s elderly and doesn’t know if the monthly payments are providing seniors with enough financial support.
The report found Employment and Social Development Canada is collecting data on seniors, but hasn’t actually been analyzing it, and can’t say whether the government programs in place are addressing needs or if any major support gaps exist.
“As the population of seniors in Canada continues to grow, Employment and Social Development Canada needs to strengthen its analysis to ensure that support programs are meeting the evolving needs of seniors,” Auditor General Karen Hogan said in a statement.
Whenever I hear about the federal government engaging in a conspiracy to do X, I think of stuff like this. The culture of the bureaucracy does not promote beneficial outcomes, and the politicians see no reason to improve it.