March 19, 2019 – Ottawa — CARP, Canada’s largest advocacy organization for older adults, is applauding the federal government for investing in the financial security of our seniors in today’s budget.
“CARP has been calling for significant changes to safeguard Canadians as we age. The government has listened,” said Laura Tamblyn Watts, CARP’s Chief Public Policy Officer. “CARP applauds the federal government for taking decisive action in reducing the GIS claw-back, increasing federal pension protections, supporting deferred annuities for seniors, a new EI caregiving benefit and housing supports for low income seniors.”
“We also are very pleased to see some funding for a National Dementia Strategy, increases to the New Horizons for Seniors Program and automatic enrolment in CPP for adults over 70. Investments in digital connections and municipalities will also reduce social isolation and improve aging in place.”
Last October, CARP released its national policy platform, The FACES of Canada’s Seniors. It calls on the federal government and all parties to commit to specific, measurable improvements in five key areas that matter most to our members. The five areas for action are: Financial Security, Abuse Prevention, Caregiving and Housing Supports, Exceptional Healthcare and Social Inclusion.
“CARP’s FACES platform provided the government with a clear roadmap for improving the lives of Canadians as they age,” said Watts. “We are pleased the government has listened to the voices of CARP’s 320,000 members by implementing some of our key recommendations.”
While the investments announced in today’s budget are positive, CARP will continue to put pressure on the government to take action on defined benefit pension protections, housing and caregiver supports and a fully funded national dementia strategy.
“Today’s budget was good for seniors, but there is still work to be done,” said Bill VanGorder, CARP Board Member and National Chapter Spokesperson. “With the federal election only seven months away, CARP will continue to push all parties to take action on the issues that matter most to our members and to all Canadian seniors.”
CARP calls on All Parties to Support a National Seniors Strategy
Toronto – October 9 – CARP today launched its national policy platform: The FACES of Canada’s Seniors. This policy platform will form the basis of CARP’s year-long national advocacy campaign focused on making Canada the best place to age.
“This is a call to action for improving the lives of Canadians as we age,” said Wanda Morris, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer at CARP. “In anticipation of the next federal election, we’ll be pushing the government and all parties to commit to specific, measurable improvements in five key areas that matter most to our members.”
The five areas for action are:
- FINANCIAL SECURITY
- ABUSE PREVENTION
- CAREGIVING AND HOUSING SUPPORTS
- EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH CARE
- SOCIAL INCLUSION
The policy platform identifies 19 areas for action, ranging from tax policy and pension protection to abuse prevention and preventive health care.
“We can make Canada the best place to age,” said Laura Tamblyn Watts, Chief Public Policy Officer at CARP. “The federal government made a positive step in appointing a Minister for Seniors. Now it’s time to take decisive action by implementing a National Seniors Strategy that addresses these five critical areas.”
CARP is a non-profit, non-partisan association representing more than 300,000 older Canadians across Canada. We advocate to uphold the rights and improve the lives of Canadians as we age. To download a copy of the FACES of Canada’s Seniors,
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