Federal Retirees is calling on all parties in the upcoming election to prioritize building a future that supports Canadians as they age.
Canadians are heading to the polls on April 28, 2025.
On behalf of all 171,000 members and all Canadian seniors, Federal Retirees is calling on all parties in this election to prioritize building a future that supports and protects Canadians as they age. The next federal government needs to develop a robust plan to enable a healthy, active and financially secure retirement — it's good for Canadians, for our communities and for the economy.
The issues
Retirement income security
Threats of changes in international trade and an increased cost of living are putting more pressure on Canadians on fixed incomes such as pensions, Old Age Security or personal retirement savings. Retirement income security ensures stability and reliability for essential expenses such as housing, health care and daily living costs. Better pensions also lead to communities with strong economies as they contribute substantially to government and local business revenues.
Promoting positive and healthy aging
It is imperative that the federal government future-proofs policies for aging. By 2040, a quarter of Canada’s population will be over 65, making older Canadians the fastest growing segment of the population. The next federal government needs to set a long-term plan to ensure quality of life in retirement and a positive and healthy aging experience for all Canadians. This includes addressing retirement income security, access to affordable and appropriate housing and transportation, age-friendly communities and quality health care that includes improved long-term, home and community care.
Minister of seniors
In the most recent federal cabinet shuffle, the government left the minister of seniors role vacant. This cabinet position is important in ensuring that the voice of older Canadians is at the cabinet table. The next federal government needs to reinstate this cabinet position to ensure all government decisions and policies are being looked at through a seniors’ lens, so the needs of older adults are not left behind.
Health care
Health care continues to be a priority for older Canadians, who are experiencing significant challenges accessing health care, from long ER wait times, a critical shortage of family doctors and difficulty finding suitable long-term care and home care. Older Canadians need a reliable health-care system to provide care as their needs evolve as well as continued progress and sustainable funding for the implementation of national pharmacare. Investment and action are needed now to enable older Canadians to age with dignity in the place of their choosing. National standards for long-term, home and community care must be implemented.
Veterans well-being
Transition to civilian life can be challenging for veterans who have served for this country, increasingly so for veterans with illness, injury or trauma. Many veterans have lost faith in the military and the government, making it essential to rebuild trust with Canada’s veterans by developing supportive, safe and reliable social infrastructure to support a positive release from service.
Furthermore, every member’s experience in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP are not the same, so their care and support should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. The CAF and RCMP need to achieve equity for serving and veteran women. There have been important steps taken, but there is still more work needed to achieve truly equitable outcomes, and a dedicated minister for veterans' affairs is needed.
To get information on how to vote, including if you’re travelling, consult Elections Canada.