GUELPH MERCURY: 'Grey power' vows to flex muscle following revealing talk with NDP

The federal government bilked seniors out of millions because of a miscalculation in the cost of living, the New Democratic Party says.

NDP candidate Tom King joined Chris Charlton, member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain, in calling for rebates at a gathering of seniors yesterday.

Charlton said the error could have cost anyone on the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, or a private pension plan.

"From 2001 to 2006, Statistics Canada made a mistake calculating the consumer price index," she said.

The index measures the price increase in items regularly purchased by households, from groceries and clothing to transportation and fuel.

"They determined the cost of living and underestimated it by 0.1 per cent a year," Charlton said.

Although not a lot, she said when compounded with interest it could mean a significant amount of money for some seniors.

Ron Morency, chief of the Consumer Price Index production group for Statistics Canada, said "there has never been an issue of this magnitude with the CPI."

Charlton said the information, obtained under freedom of information, showed the federal government does not plan to refund the money because it could potentially cost billions to both the public and private sector.

Me'shel Gulliver, a spokesperson for the office of Human Resources and Social Development, said the federal body responsible for the administration of the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security has previously said this is an old issue that has been resolved.

But Charlton has collected tens of thousands of signatures from seniors who disagree and say they are owed the funds.

"It gripes the hell out of me," said NDP candidate Tom King, "The federal government is saying 'we don't want to give you what you are owed.' "

Guelph senior Mary Chubey said this issue may be enough to sway her vote.

Grey power has a lot of influence, she said.

"In five years, none of the other parties have squeaked about this."

Sheila Lunda agreed, adding "We seniors need to make our voices and presence known in Ottawa."

"The government has robbed seniors and is refusing to accept responsibility."

Lunda said when it comes to public policy seniors are often pushed aside.

Conservative candidate Gloria Kovach said the Consumer Price Index is overestimated and underestimated at times.

It wouldn't be fair if the government clawed back the money from people who had already received their cheques if the reverse occurred, she said.

Green party candidate Mike Nagy said if there is an underpayment, "the federal government needs to rectify the situation," he said.

"This is not a political issue, it's simply a mathematical issue."

nvisschedyk@guelphmercury.com