STUDENT ROLE MODEL WINS GOVERNOR GENERAL AWARD A3
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August 27, 2015
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Beware of CRA phone scams
Two Sections, 40 pages
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Ken Alexander Free Press
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The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) released a statement last week about an increase in telephone scams during which the caller claims to be from the CRA, but is definitely not. The CRA warns Canadians these threatening and aggressive fraudulent calls are trying to scare people, particularly seniors, into paying for a “debt with the CRA” and it could result in identity and financial theft. Horse Lake resident Laura Matsuda has received two of these calls – one last week and a second on Monday (Aug. 24). The caller, who identified himself as a CRA employee, screamed at her about owing money to the tax agency and told Matsuda she would be facing criminal charges. “He said he would help me get a criminal lawyer and that was the only way he could help. I told him I didn’t know him and I’m hanging up.” Matsuda says she didn’t follow up at that point because “it seemed so ridiculous” and she had a lot of company at the time. She notes that during Monday’s call, which was a recording, the caller was not screaming, but he was forceful and adamant. “He identified himself of being from the CRA and said criminal Continued on A4
Carole Rooney photo
Emma Theuring, left, Logan Theuring and Kailey Glotze test-rode the hobbyhorses on sale at the Theuring’s booth at the South Cariboo Farmers’ Market on Aug. 21.
Seniors asked to submit ideas
Carole Rooney Free Press
Having more housing options for seniors in the South Cariboo is a big challenge that has been taken up by a committee that is intent on finding solutions. Committee members want to hear from local seniors and their families about what their needs are now – and what they might see coming down the road. South Cariboo AGEFRIENDLY Initiative community co-ordinator Lea Smirfitt says its steering committee on housing recognizes there are limited seniors housing units or other
options available for elder care. “The [steering committee] has made it one of their priorities to bring further seniors housing options to the South Cariboo.” Steering committee member Konrad Schmid-Meil says one of its goals is to offer seniors who prefer to stay in the community ways to do that, whether in a new co-op, some other form of supportive care living or in their own homes. However, in order to gain financing for any form of seniors’ housing, a feasibility study is required to inventory local housing options
and to determine what we want, we need which housing model to know what [local is appropriate for, and seniors] need.” supported by, He says the community committee is members, he well underway notes. with completSchmid-Meil ing funding agrees with felapplications low committee to Northern member Chuck Development Shaw-MacLaren Initiative KONRAD that it is very SCHMID-MEIL Trust and BC important to Housing, pendgather input from as ing ironing out some many interested resi- minor technicalities. dents as possible when While detailed investigating potential research will be part for a new seniors hous- of the feasibility study, ing complex in 100 Mile meanwhile, there are House. many ways input and “More and more we ideas can help at this have a group now with grass-roots stage of a kind of a vision ... planning, Schmid-Meil but before we go with explains.
He notes a housing facility could be a product of private investment, whether by developers or by its future residents. The committee wants to hear from as many seniors as possible about their current or perceived future needs, including if you prefer: • less or more supportive care; • to live at home or in a complex; or • to purchase a co-op or to rent a living space. It also wants to know: • what your age and mobility level is now; and • what services you see as desirable or essential. Continued on A5