As Canada heads toward the 2025 federal election, the voices of older Canadians are louder and more unified than ever. Members of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons have made it clear: their concerns are urgent, and our elected politicians and policy makers must respond.

With Canada’s population aging rapidly, these are not niche issues; they are national imperatives that impact the future of our economy, health care system and social cohesion. Seniors have built this country—and they expect it to stand by them now.

CARP’s Top 5 Election Priorities are the most pressing concerns we’ve heard from our members and the broader senior population. They reflect a demand for dignity, safety, financial security, and access to health care as Canadians age. These aren’t just seniors’ issues—they’re national issues that affect families, communities, and generations to come.

We are calling on all federal leaders and candidates to take a stand and commit to meaningful action on the following five priorities:

Home and Community Care: The future of senior care must be rooted in the home. A “home first” approach will relieve pressure on hospitals and long-term care institutions while improving the quality of life for seniors. CARP is demanding significantly expanded federal-provincial investments in in-home care, respite programs, and day supports that help older adults age safely where they want to be: at home.

Old Age Security (OAS) Protection and Strengthening: It’s time to end the unfair divide between seniors over and under age 75. CARP is calling for a 10% increase to OAS for those aged 65 to 74, a 25% boost to the Survivor Benefit for all those 65 and older, and legal protections for pensioners when companies go bankrupt. These changes are necessary to preserve dignity and ensure economic fairness for all older Canadians.

End Mandatory RRIF Withdrawals: Mandatory Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) withdrawals at age 71 are outdated and punitive. Canadians are living longer, and they deserve more control over how and when they draw down their retirement savings. CARP is calling for an end to forced withdrawals to support financial independence and security in later life.

Frauds and Scams: Prevention, Enforcement, and Redress: Fraudsters continue to target seniors with devastating consequences. CARP demands a national strategy that includes tougher enforcement, meaningful penalties for perpetrators, stronger protections, and clear avenues for redress and recovery of stolen funds. Seniors should not be treated as collateral damage in Canada’s fraud crisis.

Vaccination Access: Protecting seniors means protecting their health. CARP demands full provincial and federal funding for all five major vaccines recommended for older adults by NACI and Health Canada. This includes high-dose flu shots for those over 65, COVID-19 boosters, free shingles, RSV and pneumonia vaccines, and equitable access for every province. No senior should go without life-saving protection due to cost.

Together, these priorities form the foundation of CARP’s federal advocacy agenda for 2025. We urge every party and candidate to respond with real commitments—not just promises.

Seniors are watching. And we vote.