Hello and happy National Seniors Day. The Canadian Association of Retired Persons, CARP, was founded in 1984 as the leading advocate for older adults demanding changes to government policies. It is a non-partisan, not-for-profit national association of over 230,000. Through its strength in numbers, CARP’s advocacy led to fundamental improvements that benefit all seniors: Ending mandatory retirement at age 65; Increasing Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplements; Pension income splitting between spouses; and much more.

There is widespread acknowledgment today of the enormous impact Canada’s aging population is having on society. In 2025, the youngest Baby Boomers will turn 60 years old, joining over ten million other Canadians of retirement age. This massive segment of our society with unique needs and interests had been underserved and unappreciated.

Forty years after its founding, CARP continues to meaningfully represent the interests of the retired, the retiring, and the younger adults who are supporting family with the issues of retirement.

For most older adults, retirement means retiring from the fulltime employment that paid the bills, helped raise a family, and covered rent or mortgage payments. It never meant retirement from life. That is an ageist point of view. In fact, most seniors are busier than ever with travel, hobbies and family. Retirement is earned over decades of hard work and sacrifice. It is not a condition to be endured. It is a milestone to be honored and respected. This is CARP’s mission — to realize older adults’ aspirations to be treated fairly and respectfully. Seniors can help make it happen when they join the movement to end ageism.

Sincerely,

Rudy Buttignol, C.M.