Seniors in several locations across B.C. took a walk for a reason Thursday (March 21) morning.

In White Rock, as well as at locations in Vernon, Terrace, Ladysmith, Kamloops and Prince George, seniors gathered with signs, posters and placards for the Tin Cup March for Fair Senior香蕉视频直播檚 Pensions, held simultaneously across the province to draw attention to the plight of seniors living in poverty.

In South Surrey, a small group of seniors gathered outside South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay香蕉视频直播檚 office and marched around the area with signs saying 香蕉视频直播淲e want change now 香蕉视频直播� not charity香蕉视频直播� and 香蕉视频直播�1-2-3-4, we香蕉视频直播檙e sick and tired of being poor,香蕉视频直播� among others.

This event marks the inaugural march for the Semiahmoo Peninsula. The original was started in Vernon just last year by organizer Carole Fawcett, and has expanded across B.C. since.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 growing, and I think it香蕉视频直播檚 going to grow even more, moving forward,香蕉视频直播� said White Rock/South Surrey march organizer Sue Reid, who has heard there香蕉视频直播檚 about 15 seniors who are homeless and living in their cars 香蕉视频直播� if they香蕉视频直播檙e lucky enough to have a car 香蕉视频直播� in White Rock.

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香蕉视频直播淲hen they only make $17,000 with old age pension and the Canadian poverty threshold is $25,252 a year, it香蕉视频直播檚 clear (seniors) don香蕉视频直播檛 have enough. (Old Age Pension) should be increased up to poverty level.香蕉视频直播�

As cars driving past honked their horns in support of the march, Reid noted more and more seniors are unable to afford the cost of living.

She said she knows of one family who say they are supplementing their senior family members every month 香蕉视频直播� taking funds out of their own, stretched budget 香蕉视频直播� because they can香蕉视频直播檛 make ends meet without the monthly help.

香蕉视频直播淭hese are just regular, everyday people, just like us香蕉视频直播� you see (the poverty) happening more and more.香蕉视频直播�

In Vernon, nearly 100 protesters showed up to march, Fawcett said.

香蕉视频直播淭he turnout is amazing and I am just so touched,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Fawcett香蕉视频直播檚 goal is that the government will increase pensions, to reflect the rising inflation across the country.

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Because it was spring break, youth as well as seniors came out in support in Terrace, with sunny views of the city香蕉视频直播檚 snow-capped local mountains as a backdrop, gathering outside the Tillicum Twin Theatres.

香蕉视频直播淲e were the second community that came on board with the organizer,香蕉视频直播� said Diana Penner, president of Skeena Valley Seniors Society.

The demonstration, which later turned into a rally to the office of MLA Ellis Ross, MP Taylor Bachrach and to city hall, was also joined by some young faces who held the signs of 香蕉视频直播淪eniors on government pension live in poverty香蕉视频直播� and 香蕉视频直播淩aise government pensions above the poverty line.香蕉视频直播�

In Ladysmith, seniors marched along 1st Avenue in support of the march, in solidarity with all the other seniors and events around the province. Ladysmith march organizer Joanne Burroughs said 23 per cent of people experiencing homelessness in B.C. are seniors.

香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 the highest it香蕉视频直播檚 ever been,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e just not getting anything and you can香蕉视频直播檛 live on what they香蕉视频直播檙e giving people. I was just really mad at the situation and people not being aware of it.香蕉视频直播�

Burroughs said she hopes the Tin Cup movement makes its way across the country, as old age security is a federal file. She stressed that higher pensions won香蕉视频直播檛 only benefit today香蕉视频直播檚 seniors.

香蕉视频直播淚t is for seniors and future seniors香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 going to be worse for them,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Visit seniorstincup.org for more details.

香蕉视频直播� with files from Bowen Assman, Prabhnoor Kaur and Greg Sakaki