Friday, July 10th, 2014 was Thelma’s last day of work so Robert’s income now has to pay all their living expenses. I can’t think of any program which would cover Thelma’s loss of income. Thelma is eligible to apply for and receive her Canada Pension when she turns sixty, or she can wait. She and Bob may have arranged for a pension split. Bob looks like he is nearly 60 too so he will also be eligible to either receive his Canada Pension at sixty or wait. By the sounds of it, he doesn't plan to retire in the near future, but he can still take his CPP at 60 and remain working.
If Thelma used to pay the bills, etc. it is now Robert’s responsibility. (mortgage, vehicle expenses, hydro, food, credit card debts, house insurance, Cable & Internet provider, taxes, etc.) Because Thelma’s body hasn’t been found, the family has to wait years before anything becomes final. Doesn’t a body have to be missing for seven years before the person is legally declared “dead”?
The starting wage for a Transit Drive in Winnipeg is $18.69 or $45K a year. The minimum requirements are Grade 10 and a Valid Class 5 Driver’s License with 0 merits.
The selection test includes:
Public relations test
Written test
Driving aptitude test
Current driver’s abstract
Competency based interview
Successful completion of past and present employer reference checks
Criminal record check
Medical examination, which includes drug & alcohol testing.
Robert has worked as a City bus driver since 2007 so he is probably making close to $50K a year. He and his wife likely have life insurance policies through their employers. Some if not most drivers work a split shift, early mornings and late nights, including weekends. Several drivers have been assaulted lately and these assaults have been caught on tape so I think our City buses may be equipped with cameras now. Some bus routes have security personnel available to assist the drivers in case they are attacked.