CARP Advocacy Wins: Turning Seniors’ Priorities into Action

June 2026

Across Canada, CARP continues to fight for policies that protect the health, safety, financial security, and independence of older Canadians. The resulting wins did not happen by accident. They are the results of sustained advocacy, direct engagement with governments, policy submission, media outreach, and the persistence of CARP members who continue to speak up about the issues that matter most.

Our work is grounded in what our members tell us matters most to seniors: access to care, protection from fraud, investor protections, affordable and accessible vaccines, long-term care culture, and stronger representation for seniors in government decision-making.

Over the past year, CARP’s advocacy has helped move several important issues forward. These wins show that when older Canadians speak with a united voice, governments listen.

Protecting Seniors from Fraud

Fraud remains one of the fastest-growing threats older Canadians face in Canada. As of March 2026, $188 million has been lost to fraud and $704 million in 2025.

Canada has continued to raise the alarm about the growing sophistication of scams targeting seniors. CARP has called for stronger protections, better enforcement and tougher consequences for those who specifically target seniors. Through public statements, advocacy campaigns and direct engagement with the government, CARP has pushed fraud prevention higher on the national agenda. That advocacy has helped contribute to the national action of fraud prevention – the National Anti-Fraud Strategy

CARP also welcomed the federal government’s ban of crypto ATMs, a measure that responds directly to concerns about scammers exploiting seniors.

These steps are important progress, but more must be done. Seniors deserve a justice system and financial system that work together to prevent fraud before it happens and hold perpetrators accountable when it does.

Please preview some of the advocacy work CARP has done over the past year

Expanding Access to Vaccines

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and avoidable pressure on the healthcare system. CARP has consistently advocated for better access to adult vaccines, including RSV, shingles, and pneumococcal vaccines.

Ontario’s expanded RSV vaccine program marked an important CARP win, helping more older adults access protection against a virus that can be especially serious for seniors. More recently, Ontario also announced that beginning in July, eligible residents will be able to access additional publicly funded vaccines through local pharmacies, including vaccines for pneumococcal disease, RSV and shingles.

CARP welcomes these changes as meaningful steps toward better vaccine accessibility. For older Canadians, convenience matters. When vaccines are easier to get, more people can protect their health, reduce avoidable illness and help ease pressure on our strained healthcare system.

But access is not only about location. If a senior cannot afford a recommended vaccine or puts it off because of the out-of-pocket cost, then that vaccine is still out of reach. CARP will continue to call for full public coverage of all expert-recommended seniors’ vaccines across Canada, regardless of postal code or ability to pay.

Please preview some of the advocacy work CARP has done over the past year

Improving Fire Safety for Seniors

CARP has been a strong voice for improved fire safety standards in seniors’ residences and long-term care settings. This advocacy is about more than policy. It is about preventing tragedy and protecting lives.

Following serious concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness, CARP continued to press for stronger protections for older adults living in congregate care settings. CARP’s advocacy helped keep attention on the need for safer buildings, better emergency planning and stronger accountability when seniors’ lives are at risk.

Every senior deserves to live in a setting where their safety is treated as a non-negotiable priority.

Advancing Seniors’ Representation in Manitoba

One of the most significant provincial wins came in Manitoba, where CARP Manitoba helped secure the creation of a Seniors’ Advocate office. This was a historic step forward for older Manitobans and a major victory for CARP members who have long called for stronger independent oversight and representation.

The appointment of Manitoba’s new Seniors’ Advocate marks an important milestone. It means seniors in Manitoba now have a dedicated voice focused on their needs, concerns and lived experiences.

CARP continues to call on all provinces to ensure seniors have strong, independent representation at the decision-making table.

Supporting Better Long-Term Care and Dementia Care

CARP continues to push for stronger long-term care, better home and community care, and improved supports for people living with dementia.

In Ontario, CARP welcomed the government’s $9 million investment for dementia care in long-term care homes. This funding recognizes the urgent need for specialized dementia supports, better care planning and improved quality of life for residents.

CARP also commended Alberta’s Assisted Living Framework and Budget 2025 investments as a positive example of action on seniors’ care. As Canada’s population ages, provinces must plan now for the growing demand for assisted living, home care, long-term care and dementia supports.

These investments are steps in the right direction, but they must be matched by long-term planning, accountability and sustained funding. Seniors and their families need care systems that are safe, accessible, dignified and built for the future.

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Our Advocacy Continues

These wins belong to CARP members. They are the result of persistent advocacy, member engagement, public pressure and a clear message to governments: seniors’ issues must be national priorities.

CARP is proud of the progress made, but we know there is more work ahead. Seniors continue to face rising costs, long healthcare wait times, gaps in home and long-term care, fraud risks, vaccine affordability barriers and uneven access to supports across the country.

CARP will continue to advocate for policies that protect older Canadians, strengthen healthcare, improve safety, expand access to prevention, and ensure seniors can age with dignity, independence and security. And together, we will keep pushing for the changes older Canadians need and deserve.