Since its inception in 1984, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) has been a relentless advocate for Canada’s aging population. At the time of its founding, seniors in Canada faced numerous challenges: mandatory retirement at 65, a lack of adequate financial support, insufficient healthcare, and a poverty rate of about 20%. These were not small issues—seniors often had to make impossible decisions, such as choosing between paying for medicine or food due to a lack of resources and public safety nets.
Today, the situation for Canadian seniors has transformed, thanks in large part to CARP’s advocacy. The seniors’ poverty rate has dropped to around 6%, one of the lowest globally. CARP’s tireless efforts have led to significant policy wins, providing financial relief, access to better healthcare, and support for aging with dignity. This success is a direct result of not only CARP’s national campaigns but also the work of its dedicated volunteer chapters across the country, which have become champions for seniors in their local communities.
Major Policy Wins: A Deeper Dive
CARP’s advocacy has resulted in many public policy victories that have improved the financial security, healthcare access, and overall well-being of seniors in Canada.
Fighting Mandatory Retirement and Age Discrimination
One of CARP’s earliest and most influential battles was against mandatory retirement. Until the mid-2000s, many provinces and territories still had mandatory retirement laws, which forced people out of the workforce at 65, regardless of their ability or desire to continue working. CARP recognized that this policy was inherently discriminatory and fought to eliminate it. Through sustained lobbying and public awareness campaigns, CARP succeeded in making it illegal to force employees to retire based on age alone in many parts of Canada.
This victory not only gave seniors the freedom to continue working if they chose to, but it also sent a strong message against age discrimination in the workplace. CARP’s efforts helped shift societal attitudes about aging, emphasizing that seniors bring valuable skills and experience to the workforce. By challenging the status quo, CARP paved the way for seniors to have more control over their own lives and livelihoods.
Pension Income Splitting (2009)
Another critical win for CARP came in 2009 with the introduction of pension income splitting. This policy allowed senior couples to split up to 50% of eligible pension income between spouses, reducing their tax burden. Before this change, couples with unequal incomes faced higher taxes, putting an unfair strain on households with a single or primary earner. Pension income splitting has provided significant financial relief, particularly for senior couples in high-cost regions. By lowering their tax liability, many seniors have been able to live more comfortably in retirement, enjoying greater financial stability.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Top-Up (2011)
In 2011, CARP successfully advocated for a top-up to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a vital lifeline for low-income seniors. The federal government introduced a $600 annual increase for single seniors and $840 for couples. While this may seem modest, it made a meaningful difference to seniors living on fixed incomes, helping them cope with rising costs of living. This victory aligned with CARP’s commitment to reducing seniors’ poverty, ensuring that vulnerable seniors have the support they need to live with dignity.
Reversal of the OAS Age Increase (2016)
In 2012, CARP faced one of its most significant battles when the federal government announced plans to raise the Old Age Security (OAS) eligibility age from 65 to 67. CARP immediately launched a campaign against the change, arguing that it would disproportionately harm lower-income seniors, who rely on OAS to cover essential expenses. After years of persistent advocacy, CARP achieved a major victory in 2016 when the government reversed this decision, keeping the OAS eligibility age at 65. This win ensured that seniors could access the benefits they needed at the appropriate time without being forced into further financial insecurity.
Enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) (2016–2017)
Another key victory for CARP came with the enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) in 2016 and 2017. The federal and provincial governments agreed to increase the income replacement rate from 25% to 33.3% of pensionable earnings and to raise the maximum earnings covered by the CPP. This enhancement will provide future generations of seniors with better financial security, preventing many from falling into poverty after retirement. CARP’s advocacy for a stronger CPP reflects its commitment to ensuring long-term financial stability for all Canadians.
Healthcare Wins: Affordable Medication and Dental Coverage for Seniors
While financial security has been a cornerstone of CARP’s advocacy, healthcare has also been a top priority. In its early years, CARP found that many seniors faced the heartbreaking choice between paying for essential medications and buying food. Over time, CARP fought to lower co-payments and ensure that seniors could access affordable medications through various provincial and national programs.
Affordable Pharmacy Coverage
Through CARP’s advocacy, seniors now enjoy more accessible and affordable pharmacy coverage, with co-pays kept relatively low. While some gaps remain between provinces in terms of coverage, most seniors are no longer forced to choose between essential medications and basic necessities. CARP continues to push for improvements, especially in ensuring that all provinces offer comprehensive medication coverage for seniors. This fight is ongoing, but the progress made so far has dramatically improved seniors’ health outcomes and quality of life.
The Canadian Dental Plan (2023)
In 2023, CARP helped secure another important healthcare victory with the introduction of the Canadian Dental Plan. This plan provides dental coverage for low- and middle-income Canadians, including seniors who have long struggled to afford basic dental care. CARP has long advocated for dental coverage, recognizing the critical role that oral health plays in seniors’ overall health and well-being. The Canadian Dental Plan represents a significant step forward, ensuring that seniors can access the dental care they need without the financial burden that once prevented many from receiving treatment.
Long-Term Care and Aging in Place: The Fight for Better Care
CARP’s advocacy extends beyond financial security and healthcare to issues of long-term care (LTC) and aging in place. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in Canada’s LTC system, with many facilities struggling to provide adequate care. CARP has long advocated for increased government funding and reform to improve these facilities, ensure better staffing, and guarantee safer, more dignified care for seniors.
Long-Term Care Reform and Funding
In the wake of the pandemic, CARP redoubled its efforts to reform long-term care. Federal and provincial governments have since pledged billions of dollars to build new LTC facilities and improve existing ones. CARP’s Ottawa chapter played a particularly vital role in this advocacy, organizing virtual town halls with local officials, healthcare experts, and families of LTC residents to ensure their voices were heard. This grassroots activism helped shape government policies and pushed for urgently needed improvements in long-term care standards.
Aging in Place Initiatives
CARP has also championed aging in place initiatives, which allow seniors to remain in their homes longer with the support they need. CARP’s Edmonton chapter was at the forefront of this movement, working with provincial officials to shape programs like Alberta’s Senior Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP). This initiative provides low-interest loans to seniors for home repairs and adaptations, enabling them to modify their homes to meet their changing needs. By promoting aging in place, CARP has helped many seniors maintain their independence and dignity while reducing pressure on the long-term care system.
CARP’s Volunteer Chapters: Community Champions for Seniors
At the heart of CARP’s success are its volunteer chapters across the country, which have played a critical role in advocating for seniors at the local level. These chapters have become champions for seniors, addressing local issues, organizing events, and ensuring that the needs of older adults are met in their communities.
Looking Ahead: The Future of CARP and Senior Advocacy
As CARP celebrates its 40th anniversary, its mission remains as critical as ever. While significant progress has been made, challenges persist. CARP continues to advocate for improvements in long-term care, the expansion of pharmacy and dental coverage across all provinces, and national standards for elder care.
CARP’s enduring commitment to addressing the financial, healthcare, and social needs of seniors is a testament to its powerful legacy. With the continued support of its members and the dedication of its volunteer chapters, CARP will remain at the forefront of senior advocacy, shaping a brighter future for Canada’s aging population.
