Today is National Seniors Day in Canada—a day when we’re asked to recognize the significant contributions older adults make to our society, economy, and families.
So what does that actually mean? How does Canada recognize those contributions?
Canadian seniors now make up nearly 20% of our population, and in less than 10 years, that will jump to a quarter. Whether they’re still working or retired, seniors play a major role in our economy—contributing billions of dollars, supporting municipal tax bases, keeping local businesses thriving, and filling vital volunteer and mentoring roles.
Yet despite these contributions, too many seniors today—particularly women—live in poverty. While there have been small improvements to Old Age Security, much more is needed. Defined benefit pension plans are still under attack, threatening to make things even worse down the road. And healthcare access? That represents a major challenge. Many seniors face difficulties accessing primary and specialized care when they need it most. The problem isn’t access to services themselves, but the reality that as we age, we often need more healthcare services—and long wait times become particularly problematic in the latter stages of life. Home care and long-term care options are increasingly hard to access. And as provinces lean more heavily into privatizing healthcare and downloading costs, benefit plans just can’t keep up with what our seniors actually need.
As Canada’s population continues to age, these issues will not resolve themselves without a comprehensive strategy.
The Pensioners National Association celebrates the contributions our members and all seniors make. We’re calling on decision-makers at every level to step up—to ensure healthcare is both available and affordable, pensions are adequate and sustainable, and retirees can enjoy real financial security and quality of life. The PNA is committed to advocating for the changes that are needed.