Dear editor;

First, let me say I am unaffiliated with any political party and this letter is not intended to favour any particular party.

An extract from federal Liberal candidate Andrea Kaiser's media release stated the Liberal government has demonstrated decisive leadership in protecting our health and securing access to vaccines.

I would categorize this release as pure political puffery or, as former U.S. President Donald Trump would say, the big lie, “fake news.”

To launch any political campaign with this lead is offensive to the families of the residents who died in long-term care homes, representing 70 per cent of all deaths in Canada.

Additionally, as we are approaching March, the vast majority of Canadians are frustrated and patiently waiting on their first vaccine shot.

We are the laughingstock of the world. PM Justin Trudeau, like most politicians, is not shy when taking lots of poetic licence in his interviews and stump speeches, lots of promises and political wordsmithing, with no meaningful vaccine deliveries as an end result.

Let's examine other issues with the Liberal party's hollow promises as it relates to our undervalued and underappreciated senior citizens. Ottawa announced a paltry $300, one-time COVID-19 payment to seniors, with a strong inference of a further payout. None materialized .

In an article by Kathleen Harris on CBC News posted Sept. 18, 2019, she wrote: “During a re-election campaign in Fredericton, N.B., Justin Trudeau announced a re-elected government led by him would provide a 10 per cent boost to Old Age Security at age 75 and 25 per cent increase to the Canada Pension Plan for widows. The increase would give Canadian's 75 and older $ 729 per year and lift 20,000 seniors out of poverty. Widows and widowers would receive up to $2,080 in additional benefits each year under CPP. ” More fake news.

A major portion of the Niagara riding voters are seniors – 60 per cent in NOTL. They are hurting with grocery, fuel cost increases etc. many are on fixed incomes.

I would suggest your party address these hot issue topics prior to the next federal election.

Seniors are only important when you want our votes. Otherwise we are the forgotten class, similar to our Indigenous population, ignored by Ottawa for decades.

Clearly, as is evident by their plummeting poll numbers, these issues are already negatively impacting the Liberals' popularity. The aftermath of these, and other broken and unfilled promises, reflects poorly on the image of Trudeau and his party. He has become the poster boy for the oxymoron “honest politician.”

Andrea, when you are out campaigning shaking hands and kissing babies, hopefully with your leader as in 2019, be prepared to address the question, “How did these promises work out?” I will be there to ask the question.

Good luck with your campaign. you'll need it with these anchors around your party's neck.

Samuel Young

NOTL