CARP LGBT/RRIF Poll Report

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Key Findings – LGBT Seniors

July 14, 2014: CARP members identify as LGBT at the same rate as the general populace 65 years and older, and are just as likely to know someone who is gay, but they are about half as likely to have a gay family member. On the other hand, they are more likely than the general populace to know someone in a same sex marriage.

CARP members agree that LGBT seniors are more likely than not to face discrimination and homophobia as they age, but a through line to this report is that many members feel that LGBT seniors will suffer no more nor more differently than all seniors.

Ageism and homophobia are seen to be equally pernicious problems facing gay seniors, which reinforces the message they will experience the same problems as other seniors. More public education on diversity and more gay role models are seen to be the best answer to combating discrimination, ageism and homophobia.

Most agree Canadian social services are adequately inclusive of the needs of LGBT seniors, but there is also agreement LGBT seniors will face unique problems when they enter long-term care, including separation from partners and the possibility of discrimination from residents and staff.

RRIFs

Almost all members have (or will have) RRIFs, and one half agree that current withdrawal rules put them in danger of outliving their savings, where half as many do not agree. Half want the mandatory withdrawal rules eliminated and fewer want the amount of the withdrawal reduced. When asked directly two thirds agree mandatory RRIF withdrawals should be done away with entirely.

Electoral Preference

The Liberals have increased their vote share at the expense of the Conservatives, and the NDP remains in third place.

Click here to download the full report complete with charts and cross-tabs