TORONTO ON, Sep 21—CanAge, Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization, is tabling a strong policy agenda with the newly reelected Liberal minority government in support of Canada’s rapidly aging population. CanAge’s policy recommendations were included across all federal party platforms nearly 100 times, setting the stage for a strong working relationship with federal leaders.
“This was a critically important election for older voters,” notes Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge. “We applaud the Liberal Party’s $9 billion commitment to improving conditions in long-term care, including new standards for care and training 50,000 personal support workers with a $25 minimum wage. They have also promised to expand the Canada Caregiver Credit into a refundable tax-free benefit and to support ageing in place with $90 million for the Aging Well at Home initiative, as well as doubling the Home Accessibility Tax Credit from $10,000 to $20,000. We look forward to continuing our work with the Liberals to improve and protect the lives of Canada’s more than 6.8 million seniors.”
However, she notes that “commitments to increasing immunization rates in older adults, funding the national dementia strategy and establishing the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate were concerningly absent from the Liberals’ platform—an oversight that we’ll continue to push for movement on in the coming months.”
During the election, CanAge came out with three clear asks of the federal parties:
- Fix seniors’ care by creating a dedicated Seniors’ Care Transfer.
- Prioritize vaccinations for older adults,increasing immunization rates against preventable diseases.
- Protect older Canadians’ financial well-being, including protecting pensioners from unfair bankruptcy laws.
In a recent survey of CanAge members conducted during the election campaign:
- 87% of respondents agree the federal government should create a new Seniors’ Care Transfer to improve long-term care, home care and fight elder abuse
- 9/10 respondents agree the federal government should invest more in both long-term care and home care
- 91% of respondents think elder abuse prevention should be a priority for the new federal government
- 96% of respondents agree all older adults should have free and easy access to the expert-recommended vaccines against common preventable diseases like seasonal flu, shingles and pneumonia
- 97% of respondents agree pensioners should be protected from unfair bankruptcy laws
“Our members are sending a strong message to the newly reelected federal government that they demand action on better seniors’ care, vaccine funding and access, and enhanced financial protections,” says Tamblyn Watts. “These issues will be at the top of our list when we meet with Prime Minister Trudeau.”
CanAge is currently scheduling meetings with the federal government, continuing a strong track record of success advocating on urgent issues affecting its fast-growing national network of members.