CARP in Ottawa – And We’re Fighting Back – Hands Off OAS

Posted on by Stella Song

October 7, 2026

Today, Anthony Quinn, President of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), along with members of the Ottawa CARP chapter, held a press conference to defend retirement security and push back against calls to cut Old Age Security (OAS). Quinn, representing 230,000 members, rejected the “generational blame game” promoted by organizations like Generation Squeeze and recent coverage in Maclean’s magazine, which he argued unfairly scapegoats seniors for the economic struggles of younger Canadians.

Quinn emphasized that seniors support investments in youth, praising the federal government’s $6 billion commitment over five years for skilled trades and apprenticeships, as well as ongoing funding for New Horizons grants for seniors. However, he strongly opposed proposed changes to OAS, noting that the maximum standard benefit is only $762 a month (roughly $25 a day) and is already subject to individual clawbacks starting at $93,400. He warned that shifting eligibility to a $100,000 household income threshold would cost one in five retirees an average of $3,000 annually.

Essentially:

  • CARP demands no cuts to OAS and the preservation of full indexing.
  • Opposes tying OAS eligibility to household income or home value assessments.
  • Supports maintaining the capital gains exemption on primary residences.
  • Rejects the narrative that older Canadians are hoarding wealth at the expense of younger generations.
  • Highlights that seniors previously fought for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) enhancements to benefit future generations, demonstrating intergenerational solidarity.

Key Speakers

  • Anthony Quinn (President, Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP))

Key Announcements

  • CARP launched a public push ahead of the federal budget to demand the protection of OAS, the maintenance of individual income assessments, and the rejection of household income thresholds.
  • Acknowledged the government’s $6 billion investment over five years for skilled trades recruitment, training, and paid apprenticeships for younger Canadians.
  • Highlighted the ongoing federal support for New Horizons grants, which fund community projects to keep older Canadians engaged.

Media Questions

OAS Cuts and Government Intentions

Marie Woolf from The Globe and Mail asked if there is actual evidence that the government is looking at clawing back OAS in the upcoming budget, or if this is just a conversation happening in op-ed pages.

Anthony Quinn responded that there is ongoing discussion in publications like The Globe and Mail, and CARP is drawing a line in the sand. He expressed concern that when the federal government sees the large annual cost of OAS amid widespread departmental pressures, a growing public narrative advocating for cuts could influence their budget decisions. He stated that CARP wants to stop the generational blame game before policy changes are made.

Destitute Seniors and Social Crises

Marie Woolf from The Globe and Mail asked about the increasing number of destitute seniors facing homelessness and opioid overuse, and whether this is a matter of concern for CARP.

Anthony Quinn responded that social crises affecting communities are unfortunately growing among older adults because the senior population itself is rapidly expanding. He noted that 1,000 Canadians turn 65 every day and the oldest baby boomers are now 80. Consequently, social pressures like healthcare wait times and homelessness will continue to increase in sheer numbers for this demographic.

“Seniors are mad as hell, and they’re not going to take it anymore, ” said CARP President Anthony Quinn. “Work, save, pay your taxes, raise your family – and then be accused of robbing the next generation. That is an insult to million of Canadians. We are fighting back.”