Ford wins election on back of a platform budget that fails to create real change for older Ontarians

For immediate release

TORONTO ON, June 2—CanAge, Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization, looks forward to working with the newly re-elected Ontario PC Party in order to improve the lives of older Ontarians, but worries that the platform shows little opportunity for meaningful progress. Given that new census data shows 2,637,710 Ontarians are 65 and over (19% of the population), the PC’s must shift gears away from building highways to building a viable future for the province’s rapidly aging residents. 

The proposed 2022 Ontario Budget, which served as Ford’s election platform, includes previously announced investments in home care and a new refundable tax credit for eligible seniors aging at home, but largely ignores dire issues including dementia care and elder abuse prevention. 

“With his re-election, Premier Ford has a real opportunity to set Ontario on the road to recovery, which can’t ignore the reality of our rapidly aging population,” says Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge. “The numbers don’t lie–with over 2.5 million Ontarians over the age of 65, the time for real change is now. We look forward to working with Premier Ford to advance the rights and well-being of the older voters who kept him in office.”

During the election, CanAge has called on all provincial parties to make three key commitments to older voters, who consistently hold the power to sway the polls.

1. Fix seniors’ care
2. Protect seniors’ money
3. Prevent elder abuse

A detailed explanation of these priorities is available on the CanAge website.

Unfortunately, the PC Party is making minimal moves in these areas, promising:

• A minimal investment of $5 M / year over three years for dementia services, falling far short of the $ 500 M requested by Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario.
• $1 B over three years to expand home care (previously announced)
• Reduced income taxes for people making less than $50,000 / year, which will directly affect retired seniors and those relying on fixed income supports like GIS
• A new refundable Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit to provide $110 M (estimated) in support to low- and moderate-income seniors
• A new Ontario Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit for 2021/2022 which covers 25% (up to $2.5k/year) in eligible expenses such as handrails, stair lifts, etc
• $5.5 M to extend the Ontario Community Support Program which delivers meals, medicine, and other essential items to low-income seniors and people with disabilities
• $4 B to support high-speed internet access by 2028

“There’s simply not enough in this platform to make meaningful change for Ontario seniors,” says Tamblyn Watts. “Putting highways and corporations ahead of older people is a shortsighted approach to economic recovery, especially with 1 in 5 people in the province over 65. These are people who are key contributors to our society, and they deserve more representation in the government’s plans. We hope that when this government creates a real Budget, it reconsiders its need to support Ontario’s seniors.”

CanAge will continue working collaboratively with the Government of Ontario on key issues affecting seniors, as laid out in its evidence-based policy book, “VOICES: A Roadmap to an Age-Inclusive Canada.”