The CARP questionnaire asked the parties to state their position on the election priorities of the 14.5 million Canadians 45plus, namely,
1. a Universal Family Caregiver Benefit – a refundable caregiver tax credit to support the estimated 5 million Canadians caring for loved ones at home
2. a Universal Pension Plan for the 1 in 3 Canadians without retirement savings and substantial increases to the Old Age Security [OAS]. Canada Pension Plan [CPP] and Guaranteed Income Supplements [GIS] for low and fixed income seniors
3. Elimination of Mandatory Retirement for 840,000 Canadians working in federally regulated industries
4. a strategy to Keep Older Workers including training, anti-ageism in the workplace and phased retirement
5. Better Health Care through wait times guarantees, national health standards and pharmacare.
A copy of the questionnaire can be found:here
As of 5:00 pm today, no reply was received from any of the major political parties despite follow up calls.
Canadians 45 and over are the largest and most politically engaged demographic – 70% of them vote regularly and in 2004, they cast 9 million votes, or 64% of all votes cast in that election.
More information on the UN International Day of Older Persons may be found at: www.un.org
CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada which means social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination; ensuring that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and providing value-added benefits, products and services to members; and building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP’s mission.
For further information, please contact:
Michelle Taylor Communications Coordinator for
Susan Eng Vice President Advocacy
and
Ross Mayot
Vice President Community Development
CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada
416.363.7023 x. 236
Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General International Federation on Ageing 514.396.3358