August 29, 2025 – Kingston, ON
The Kingston, Ontario Chapter of CARP returned in force this week, with more than 50 members filling the Kingsbridge Retirement Residence to hear how CARP is defending seniors’ financial security. The gathering was both a passionate policy discussion and a celebration of the chapter’s relaunch after its long pandemic pause.
Defending Old Age Security
CARP President Anthony Quinn delivered a candid briefing on CARP’s recent federal pre-budget submission (read it here: CARP Pre-Budget Submission, Aug 28, 2025), with a special focus on the growing threat to Old Age Security (OAS).
Recent government actions, think-tank commentary, and The Globe and Mail editorials have increasingly framed OAS as unsustainable, with suggestions ranging from raising the eligibility age to clawing back benefits for so-called “affluent” retirees.
“Older Canadians are being scapegoated for deficits, housing shortages, and healthcare crises,” Quinn told members. “The real problem is decades of underinvestment and failed planning—not seniors who have spent a lifetime paying taxes and building this country.”
Quinn reminded members that OAS is not a luxury. For millions of Canadians—especially those without workplace pensions—OAS represents nearly half of their annual income. With senior poverty already more than tripling since 2020, any cuts or clawbacks would be devastating.
CARP’s Seven Recommendations to Ottawa
- Protect and strengthen OAS by extending the 10% increase to all seniors 65+, maintaining full indexation, and rejecting any age or clawback changes.
- End mandatory RRIF withdrawals that force seniors to deplete savings on a rigid schedule.
- Hold banks accountable for fair dealing and protect retail investors from being steered into poor products.
- Treat senior fraud as a serious crime, with real enforcement, penalties, and accountability for financial institutions.
- Reject any home equity tax that punishes responsible retirees and fuels intergenerational division.
- Invest in home and community care so seniors can age in place with dignity while reducing pressure on LTC and hospitals.
- Fund expert-recommended vaccines for seniors nationwide to prevent avoidable illness and reduce strain on the healthcare system.
Quinn closed by emphasizing CARP’s non-negotiable stance: “Hands off OAS. Seniors are not the problem—they are the backbone of families, communities, and the economy. Undermining OAS is not fiscal responsibility, it’s betrayal. And seniors are watching. Seniors vote.”
Chapter Relaunch in Kingston
This meeting marked only the second Kingston CARP event since the COVID-19 hiatus, and the energy in the room was unmistakable. CARP extends a heartfelt thank you to Barry Gordon, Interim Chapter Chair, for his leadership in helping to re-establish Kingston as a strong, active CARP chapter. Barry has also brought the support of his firm, Gordons Downsizing—an approved CARP partner—to help make the relaunch possible. https://www.carp.ca/member-benefits/gordons-downsizing-estate-services/
The Power of Local Chapters
Chapters are the beating heart of CARP’s mission. They connect national advocacy with local action—gathering members’ stories, engaging decision-makers, and showing what a collective local voice can accomplish. When members organize and speak together, policymakers listen.
Kingston’s relaunch isn’t just about meetings—it’s about staying engaged, supporting peers, and building a Canada that treats aging with dignity. The work we do now benefits us today and strengthens the path for our children and grandchildren as they age.
Volunteers Needed
A revitalized Kingston Chapter will give local members a stronger voice on the issues that matter—financial security, healthcare, fraud prevention, and ageism. But to thrive, the chapter needs volunteers. Whether helping with events, outreach, or advocacy, there are many ways to make a difference.
Being part of a CARP Chapter is about more than attending meetings—it’s about lending your voice to a collective effort that can change policies, strengthen communities, and improve the future for all Canadians as they age. The CARP Chapter Manual outlines this philosophy clearly: chapters exist to connect people, elevate local concerns, and demonstrate the power of engaged citizens standing together.
If you are ready to get involved and help shape the work of the Kingston Chapter, we invite you to reach out.
Send us a note at kingston@carp.ca and let us know how you’d like to contribute. Your time, energy, and ideas will ensure Kingston’s voice is heard loud and clear—and will help protect OAS, strengthen seniors’ financial security, and create a better future not only for today’s retirees, but for our children and grandchildren as they age.
