About Français

“Federal and provincial governments need to hear from Canadians on policies and legislation that sooner or later affect us all. CARP ensures that older Canadians’ voices are heard in Parliament and that vital political promises are made and kept.”

 

CARP—A New Vision of Aging is Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians promoting equitable access to health care, financial security, and freedom from ageism. Backed by more than 330,000 members, CARP is a non-partisan association that has been around for over 40 years, committed to working with all parties in government to advocate for older Canadians. Our mission is to advocate for better healthcare, financial security, and freedom from ageism. CARP members engage in polls and petitions, email their elected representatives, connect with local chapters and share stories and opinions on urgent issues.

CARP membership support creates major changes in government policies and protects the dignity of Canadians as we age. Members are also rewarded with discounts on over 100 everyday products and services they know and love from CARP’s trusted partners.

 

No one else is doing what we are doing, with one united voice.

CARP WINS: CARP and its Members Have Successfully Advocated For:

REDUCTION IN SENIORS POVERTY

When the organization started around a kitchen table in Toronto in 1984, the seniors’ poverty rate was bouncing around 20%, there was little in the way of a safety net for seniors and many were forced to choose between food and medicine.

Pharmaceuticals represented the fastest-growing component of healthcare costs starting in the mid-80s. With the voice of CARP making these deficiencies known to policy makers, provinces have responded with age-based or income based or employment based programs to help offset increasing costs. Still work to do, but CARP has a long record of success in making medicines accessible for seniors. When Ontario recently tried to introduce a new co-pay for seniors prescriptions, CARP spoke up and the policy never got off the ground.

ESTABLISHMENT OFTHE CPP INVESTMENT BOARD TO KEEP CANADIAN PENSION SEPARATE FROM THE GOVERNMENT COFFERS

CARP pushed for increases to CPP more recently, which were not intended for the benefit of seniors today, but for those coming next, to ensure it will continue to meet needs of future seniors.

INCREASE OF THE CPP TO ENSURE NEXT GENERATION OF SENIORS HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET

CARP fights against age discrimination, which may be one of the last acceptable forms of discrimination still found in our society. The removal of mandatory retirement was a landmark change for which CARP had long lobbied and had changed society today with 65 plus who want to, or need to work, staying productive in the workforce to the greater benefit of the economy.

ENDING OF MANDATORY RETIREMENT AT AGE 65

CARP fought for the right to split pension income between spouses to cut the tax liability, for couples who likely had only one pensioned worker. This has saved seniors in Canada, billions in tax dollars…. Money that stays in the pockets of seniors. CARP fights to protect this win. If we did not, the government would surely reinstate the full tax on the recipient.

ESTABLISHMENT OF PENSION INCOME SPLITTING FOR FAMILIES - TYPICALLY WHERE ONE SPOUSES WAS NOT IN THE WORKFORCE OR HAS NO PENSION

Conservative government changed old age security eligibility to age 67 without consultation. CARP launched a year long campaign against the change. It became an election issue and opposition parties promised to reverse the change. The government changed and so did the policy. OAS is funded out of the federal budget each year and is not guaranteed and could be changed at any time with amendments to the Old Age Security act. C.A.R.P fights to keep government hands off OAS.

SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT OAS ELIGIBILTY CHANGES. KEEPING OAS AGE AT 65

Similarly, we are fighting against mandatory withdrawals from RRIFs for those who have saved with RRSPs and see their registered accounts converted to income funds that require annual, taxable distributions. CARP has been successful in seeing the mandatory amounts for withdrawal lowered, but continues to fight for no mandatory withdrawals. Seniors should be able to access their savings only when they want to or need to… according to their interests and not of the taxman. The gov’t will eventually get all of their taxes due, through redemption or through the estate, but they are hurting seniors by setting a mandatory withdrawal schedule.

REDUCED MANDATORY RRIF WITHDRAWAL AMOUNT. STILL FIGHTING TO END MANDATORY RRIF WITHDRAWALS

CARP continues to fight for improvement to the health care of seniors, outside of the hospital setting. Was instrumental in an enveloped home care commitment for Fed gov to provinces, $3 million. Pushing for increased investment with oversight by auditors for ROI.

WON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE INVESTED IN HOMECARE. BUT THERE'S MUCH MORE INVESTMENT NEEDED

Older single women are still among the poorest in Canada. CARP pushes for a widening net to help those who are living in poverty. GIS increases to meet the needs of seniors. Recently saw a $1000 annual increase in that amount. CARP continues to fight for older women who are disproportionately in poverty. Including calling for increases in CPP survivor benefits.. promised by Liberals, but not yet delivered.

WON INCREASES IN GUARANTEED INCOME SUPPLEMENT FOR LOWEST INCOME SENIORS

FOUGHT FOR AND WON UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SENIORS' FLU SHOTE IN MAJORITY OF CANADIAN PROVINCES

• NACI recommended high dose flu vaccines are now available at no charge to Canadians 65+ in Ontario, the Yukon, New Brunswick and PEI

• Shingles vaccine in Ontario for seniors 65-70 years old thanks to CARP.

• Senior specific and more effective flu vaccine now available in many provinces for all seniors thanks to CARP advocacy. CARP continues to fight to raise all provinces to universal access to best in class vaccines for seniors. Shingles, Pneumonia and Flu.

Dental coverage is a big issue for our seniors with fixed income, low savings. Ontario responded with coverage for very lowest income.

Wins for CARP in 2021

• Advocated for and achieved change in Ontario Minister of Long-term Care

• Our demand for unscheduled comprehensive inspections of all long-term care homes was carried out

• Meaningful fines and other serious penalties were introduced for homes that fail the inspections

• Meaningful management changes at the Ministry were instituted, Deputy Minister replaced

• Federal Social Security benefits were increased

• CPP amounts were raised

• NACI recommended high dose flu vaccines are now available at no charge to Canadians 65+ in Ontario, the Yukon, New Brunswick and PEI

• Won $7424 million for one-time payments to alleviate the financial hardship of GIS recipients who received the CERB

• In Nova Scotia achieved a win in our advocacy to create a separate Ministry of Long-term Care

• In Ontario achieved a negotiated settlement between the government and optometrists for OHIP Funding

• Furthered our goal of better Access to Medicines when the federal government put a hold on further changes to the PMPRB

• Achieved a better understanding among older Canadians of how they can advocate on behalf of their own health care especially as it relates to cancer treatments

• In Ontario, best available NACI recommended Shingles vaccines for 65-70 year olds

How is CARP funded?

CARP is a nonprofit organization and does not receive government operating funding. Its advocacy mission is funded through membership fees and through contributions from our affinity partnerships. Through its affiliation with Zoomer Media, CARP has access to multiple media platforms. Advertisers interested in reaching our audience provide a full slate of benefits to members, often covering the cost of membership.