Killer Olson-old age pensioner

[capricorn]

Every month, the most notorious child killer in the country gets $1,169.47 transferred to a trust account in his name.

Though he will likely die in jail, where he has no living expenses and where the average annual taxpayer cost of keeping a maximum security male incarcerated was $121,294 in 2006-07 — the most recent statistics on Corrections Canada’s website — Clifford Robert Olson is a Canadian, over 65 — he turned 70 on New Year’s Day — and eligible for a pension.

---

A Service Canada letter sent to Olson, who in turn sent it to Sun columnist Peter Worthington, shows he was approved for GIS in 2006 and received his first payment, retroactive to 2005, of $7,735.41.

As the price of living on the outside world went up, so too did Olson’s payments.

In 2006, the serial killer was paid $8,716.59 and in 2008, he received $6,082.23, his tax forms show.

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/canada/2010/03/21/13305091-qmi.html

According to one victim advocate, receiving the old age pension is a human right.

“Whether we like it or not, whether we feel that his crimes were so horrific that his punishment should be everlasting — and we hope it will be everlasting — he’s still a citizen of this country and he’s till subject to the same rights that we all are,” said Wamback, chairman of the Canadian Crime Victim Foundation.

“So do I have a problem with him getting $1,100 a month Old Age Security and pension supplements? No,” he said.

“We can’t be selective when it comes to human rights,” Wamback said, adding that Olson is still behind bars and “that, we should be thankful for.”

I have never heard anyone say that the right to a pension is a human right. Of course, I'm not surprised that it has come to this. Some advocates have to stake out new ground and that's what Wamback is doing.

The article says it now costs taxpayers $121,000.00 annually for Olson's incarceration. The cost of Olson's incarceration to the taxpayer should be considered as income for that scumbag. It that cost was considered income, he wouldn't qualify for any benefits available to our seniors.

I have another question. Does he collect a quarterly GST rebate? I mean, if our rules say he qualifies for old age pension and GIS, then wouldn't he qualify for all other benefits available to low income Canadians?

I think these payments need to stop and the money saved should be used for a worthier cause than a murdering lowlife.

[Michael Hardner]

This is just another emotional feel-bad issue brought to us by that quality institution - The Sun. In my opinion, we have too many stories like this and not enough discussion about real problems.

[capricorn]

Michael, when we scratch below issues that make us feel bad we may uncover matters that require serious consideration. Then again, for those who are content, even happy, that Olson is receiving benefits provided to low income seniors outside prison walls because that is the equitable thing to do, this may be a feel good story.

If you look behind the real problems you say need to be discussed, there is usually something to feel bad about. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a problem to begin with.

[Jack Weber]

Michael, when we scratch below issues that make us feel bad we may uncover matters that require serious consideration. Then again, for those who are content, even happy, that Olson is receiving benefits provided to low income seniors outside prison walls because that is the equitable thing to do, this may be a feel good story.

If you look behind the real problems you say need to be discussed, there is usually something to feel bad about. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a problem to begin with.

Is this an "Bring back the death penalty" discussion...or is it that you don't think Olson deserves the priviledges of citizenship because of his crimes?If it's the latter,I agree.If it's the former,I don't.

[bush_cheney2004]

Is this an "Bring back the death penalty" discussion...or is it that you don't think Olson deserves the priviledges of citizenship because of his crimes?If it's the latter,I agree.If it's the former,I don't.

Hey, this gives me an idea. If convicted Canadian killers are old at time of incarceration, and let's say they serve at least 15 years of that life sentence (tee hee), then there is an opportunity using their GIS money in a trust. Even bloodthirsty child molesting killers deserve the best in financial advice. LOL!

[capricorn]

Is this an "Bring back the death penalty" discussion...or is it that you don't think Olson deserves the priviledges of citizenship because of his crimes?If it's the latter,I agree.If it's the former,I don't.

It's a discussion for posters who wish to provide their thoughts. Thanks for your input.

[Sir Bandelot]

I see no reason why a person who is incarcerated should receive any form of payment from the state. Thats ludicrous.

[waldo]

Hey, this gives me an idea. If convicted Canadian killers are old at time of incarceration, and let's say they serve at least 15 years of that life sentence (tee hee), then there is an opportunity using their GIS money in a trust. Even bloodthirsty child molesting killers deserve the best in financial advice. LOL!

Hey, this gives me an idea. Would you deny the benefits to an eligible spouse or children of an incarcerated U.S. citizen? In kind, since you're always able/willing to instill your critical wise upon Canadians, would you also instill this decision upon Canadians... in your spirit of fostering the best financial opportunities.

[Michael Hardner]

If you look behind the real problems you say need to be discussed, there is usually something to feel bad about. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a problem to begin with.

When I call something a "feel bad issue", I'm playing on the idea of "feel good issue". That is, these are issues that are effectively only brought forward to elicit anger and make a sitting government look bad.

If we prioritized our problems properly, issues like these would appear far down the list if at all.

[Sir Bandelot]

Stephen Harper vows to "rectify this situation, because it should be rectified".

http://www.canada.com/news/Harper+upset+serial+killer+Olson+collecting+pension/2726717/story.html

[capricorn]

Good. Hope it's done before 61 year old Pickton starts collecting.

[BubberMiley]

Gotta love governments that govern by what's in the Sun today.

They haven't bothered to review how the old-age pension operates, and they just wait for something to show up in the media before they make a stand on it? Pathetic.

They should have dealt with this years ago.

[Wilber]

Gotta love governments that govern by what's in the Sun today.

They haven't bothered to review how the old-age pension operates, and they just wait for something to show up in the media before they make a stand on it? Pathetic.

They should have dealt with this years ago.

Which government? Olsen has been collecting for five years but this has been going on for much longer with other inmates.

[Michael Hardner]

Gotta love governments that govern by what's in the Sun today.

They haven't bothered to review how the old-age pension operates, and they just wait for something to show up in the media before they make a stand on it? Pathetic.

They should have dealt with this years ago.

The thing that should absolutely piss people off is that they do this with things such as the gun registry and eHealth. Of course, journalism has been reduced to passing on press releases, so you can't really blame them. Read MLW, in any case.

[Natchuck]

Prison inmates who have an income should be required to pay for their accommodation.

[wyly]

Which government? Olsen has been collecting for five years but this has been going on for much longer with other inmates.

if someone has paid into a pension plan how do you deny paying them out? you can't...if a prisoner is released when he/she is 70 are you not going to give them a pension? how are they going to survive? if they don't have a pension then they'll need more welfare...if you want to start clawing back pensions from the undeserving lets start with MP's...