McOSIRIS wrote:

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I just got this Emilio and I wanted to share it with you....It made me wonder... (let's hope is not a D.A.R.T.) Do not apply for your old age pension.  Apply to be a refugee.  It is interesting that the federal government provides a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890.00 and each can get an additional $580.00 in social assistance for a total of $2,470.00.This compares very well to a single pensioner who, after contributing to the growth and development of Canada for 40 or 50 years, can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012.00 in old age pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees!Let's send this thought to as many Canadians as we can and maybe we can get the refugees cut back to $1,012.00 and the pensioners up to $2,470.00 , so they can enjoy the money they were forced to submit to the Canadian government for those 40 to 50 years.Please forward this to every Canadian you know.Teanne McGrath, B.  Comm Dept of Finance Confederation Building, East Block, 3rd Floor St.  John's, NF A1B 4J6709-729-0149 (Office)709-729-2856 (Fax)

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I think your friend "just forgot" to include the answer to the question published in 50 plus.com

The government and your money

Article By: Ellen Roseman

Question: I like the idea of resettling refugees in smaller communities. But I find it interesting the federal government provides a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890 and an additional $580 in social assistance for a total of $2,470. Compare this to a single pensioner who can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012 in old age pension and guaranteed income supplement.

Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees! —K.Q.

Answer: The government does NOT pay refugees a monthly allowance of $1,890. This is a one-time payment, called a start-up allowance, to cover food, clothing and basic household needs. You can find details at Immigration Canada's website, www.cic.gc.ca.

Yes, refugees can get $580 a month in social assistance but only for a year or so. Seniors, on the other hand, start getting old age pension at 65 and keep getting it until death. In Ontario, seniors receive a basic guarantee of almost $1,200 a month – more than double what a refugee receives.

Let's hope this can be laid to rest. It's been circulating since the publication of an article in the Toronto Star last March. While pensions may be low, seniors shouldn't start e-mail campaigns to deprive other vulnerable people of their rights. (See the Star 's ombusdman's response here.).