October 2025
The Honourable Stephanie McLean may lack the full might of a dedicated Ministry, but the Secretary of State for Seniors told CARP President Anthony Quinn in a recent meeting that she is aligned with CARP’s core advocacy priorities and is committed to advancing the well-being of seniors with the support of her team. We are confident that Secretary McLean is fully aware of the urgent need for dedicated leadership on seniors’ issues at the federal level and a need for a strong champion for seniors at the policy table.
CARP reaffirmed to the Secretary that OAS must remain a cornerstone of retirement security and once again referenced the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s finding confirming OAS’s long-term affordability despite the claim from some media outlets and think tanks that OAS cuts are the answer to Canada’s budget woes. CARP President Anthony Quinn emphasized that public policy should aim to “raise all boats”, promoting intergenerational fairness rather than division.
Fraud and scams emerged as a shared concern. Secretary McLean expressed the need for stronger enforcement and education and noted that she and Honourable Wayne Long have been pushing for greater accountability from financial institutions to better protect seniors. We have seen this in fruition through Minister Champagne’s announcement of the Anti-Fraud Strategy and the new Financial Crimes Agency on October 20, 2025. Additionally, improving home and community care services and a home equity tax were also raised as concerns. Fortunately, the Secretary of Seniors distinctly expressed that she will not be advocating for a home equity tax.
CARP’s Next Steps
After the initial productive meeting, CARP is hopeful that Secretary McLean will be a champion of seniors at the federal government table. We walked away with full confidence that CARP and Secretary McLean shared the understanding that seniors deserve coordinated, long-term policy solutions, not quick fixes.
In the meantime, CARP will continue to demand urgent reforms and policies that meet seniors’ needs, such as:
- Protecting and strengthening OAS for all older Canadians,
- Expanding fraud and scam enforcement with dedicated resources for investigation, prosecution, and penalities,
- Ending the exploitation of retail investors by holding banks and regulators accountable, enforcing fiduciary standards and ensuring fair competition and investment choice especially for seniors,
- Advancing equitable access to home and community care,
- Denouncing the implementation of a Home Equity tax and avoid pitting generations against each other,
- Ending mandatory RRIF withdrawals,
- Providing free expert-recommended access to vaccines, regardless of postal codes, and
- The re-establishment of a full Ministry of Seniors and a seat at the cabinet table.
