Bonita Zarrillo has another job in the House of Commons.
The NDP member of parliament for Port Moody–Coquitlam is now the Opposition critic for the seniors portfolio, adding to her current roles as the party’s critic on Infrastructure and Communities, and Disability Inclusion. She is also the NDP’s deputy critic for Health.
Zarrillo’s appointment as seniors critic came on Thursday, Oct. 10 — the same day Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, passed in the Senate.
The new legislation will provide contraception, and diabetes medications and devices, at no cost to Canadians.
In a statement issued today, Oct. 16, to the Tri-City News, Zarrillo said her work on the seniors’ file includes providing affordable housing on federal properties.
"There is a growing need for affordable, safe and accessible housing for an aging population," she said in the release.
"With the passing of NDP Pharmacare and dental care, thousands of seniors in Port Moody–Coquitlam and beyond now have access to vital healthcare services that were previously out of reach. Now, we must address housing.”
This month, the Korean Seniors Society of Greater Vancouver recognized Zarrillo for her multiculturalism efforts and supporting the elderly.
The award came as the NDP voted in favour of increasing the Old Age Security (OAS) pension for seniors ages 65 to 75 to match the amount for Canadians over the age of 75.
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