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 Senior91裸聊视频檚 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 Findlay91裸聊视频檚 office and marched around the area with signs saying 91裸聊视频淲e want change now 91裸聊视频� not charity91裸聊视频� and 91裸聊视频�1-2-3-4, we91裸聊视频檙e sick and tired of being poor,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 growing, and I think it91裸聊视频檚 going to grow even more, moving forward,91裸聊视频� said White Rock/South Surrey march organizer Sue Reid, who has heard there91裸聊视频檚 about 15 seniors who are homeless and living in their cars 91裸聊视频� if they91裸聊视频檙e lucky enough to have a car 91裸聊视频� in White Rock.

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91裸聊视频淲hen they only make $17,000 with old age pension and the Canadian poverty threshold is $25,252 a year, it91裸聊视频檚 clear (seniors) don91裸聊视频檛 have enough. (Old Age Pension) should be increased up to poverty level.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频� taking funds out of their own, stretched budget 91裸聊视频� because they can91裸聊视频檛 make ends meet without the monthly help.

91裸聊视频淭hese are just regular, everyday people, just like us91裸聊视频� you see (the poverty) happening more and more.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淭he turnout is amazing and I am just so touched,91裸聊视频� she said.

Fawcett91裸聊视频檚 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 city91裸聊视频檚 snow-capped local mountains as a backdrop, gathering outside the Tillicum Twin Theatres.

91裸聊视频淲e were the second community that came on board with the organizer,91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频淪eniors on government pension live in poverty91裸聊视频� and 91裸聊视频淩aise government pensions above the poverty line.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 the highest it91裸聊视频檚 ever been,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e just not getting anything and you can91裸聊视频檛 live on what they91裸聊视频檙e giving people. I was just really mad at the situation and people not being aware of it.91裸聊视频�

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 won91裸聊视频檛 only benefit today91裸聊视频檚 seniors.

91裸聊视频淚t is for seniors and future seniors91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 going to be worse for them,91裸聊视频� she said.

Visit seniorstincup.org for more details.

91裸聊视频� with files from Bowen Assman, Prabhnoor Kaur and Greg Sakaki