The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State for Seniors (in green), with CARP Ottawa chapter volunteers Sheryl Bennett-Wilson (left) and Subhash Rai (middle) and CARP President Anthony Quinn (right), after a constructive and cordial meeting in her Parliament Hill office. Oct 6, 2026

When CARP met with the Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State for Seniors, in October 2026, the first item on the agenda was Old Age Security.

CARP asked the government to continue to honour the promise Canadians have planned their retirement around. That means ruling out proposed cuts, keeping OAS fully indexed to inflation and continuing to base the clawback on individual income.

Secretary McLean had just flown across the country from BC, but was generous with her time and gave the delegation ample opportunity to go through CARP’s pre-budget submission in her Parliament Hill office. She listened to the concerns they brought from members, and her staff welcomed further discussions with CARP and its members.

One of those concerns is what happens if Ottawa starts counting household income for the OAS clawback. A retired couple could lose part of their benefit even if neither person earns enough to trigger the clawback today.

CARP also asked Ottawa to extend the 10 per cent increase currently paid to people 75 and older to those aged 65 to 74. The submission calls for an end to mandatory RRIF withdrawals, stronger enforcement against fraud and scams, and more investment in home and community care.

Secretary McLean shared CARP’s concern about the generational fight gaining traction in Maclean’s Magazine and elsewhere. CARP brought those concerns to the national media gallery during the same visit to Ottawa.

The Secretary of State (Seniors) also participated in the Vancouver Island chapter’s September AGM by video message despite her busy schedule. CARP thanks Secretary McLean and her staff for their time on Parliament Hill, Sheryl Bennett-Wilson, and Subhash Rai for representing the Ottawa chapter at the meeting.

While in Ottawa, Quinn spoke with MP Ben Carr about fraud and scams and briefed MP Ginette Lavack, who works closely with CARP’s Winnipeg chapter, on the association’s federal priorities. With Conservative MP Adam Chambers, the discussion focused on CARP’s pre-budget submission and the conflict that arises when bank branch advisors are under pressure to sell the bank’s own investment products.

CARP raised the same concern with senior staff members of Finance Canada and pressed them to protect OAS. The department has yet to take concrete action on the bank sales practices CARP has raised.

CARP will be watching the November 5 federal budget for a clear commitment to protect OAS and will continue the discussion with McLean’s office. Members can read CARP’s pre-budget recommendations here.