Old age security and pension to senior citizens remains an important concern for many Indo-Canadians who have often lived or worked in both countries (India and Canada), and are thus seeking these old age security and pension benefits.

This key issue is being raised by Liberal MP Gurbax Singh Malhi with Indian politicians.

In the past, some Liberal MPs have raised this issue in Canadian parliament. Dr Ruby Dhalla's (MP Brampton-Springdale) private bill C-428 asking for a reduction in the wait-times for these benefits for all immigrants is I believe still pending in parliament for discussion.

Now Malhi, the first Sikh MP from Bramalea-Gore-Malton, is seeking the easiest and quickest solution for Indo-Canadian seniors.

Canada has international social security agreements with 53 countries. According to the comparable pension programs of the two countries, they pay benefits to eligible pensioners when they retire or become disabled. Currently Canadian law needs Indo-Canadian seniors to wait for ten years in residence in Canada before becoming eligible for such penion.

According to Malhi, social security agreements help people receive the benefits to which they are entitled. However, currently Canada doesn't have such an agreement with India - and this remains an issue that affects many Indo-Canadian seniors in our society.

Malhi has met many MLAs, ministers, MPs and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to discuss the issue.

Now, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to visit Canada, in June 2010.

We should urge all Indo-Canadian politicians to follow the path of agreement between the Indo-Canadian governments. Such an agreement will automatically solve the problems of Indo-Canadian senior citizens.

- Ajit S. Gill, Brampton