As our population ages, the need for a national aging strategy becomes ever more important.
There are more than seven million people aged 65 and older in Canada. Canada is soon projected to become a “super-aged” society, which, according to the United Nations, means more than 20 per cent of the total population is aged 65 years and older. The population of Canadians aged 75 years and older is expected to double in the next 20 years, and the number of Canadians aged 85 years and older could almost triple by 2046.
To promote healthy aging and quality of life of older adults in Canada, we need to make changes in our actions and our views on age and aging. Comprehensive planning and capacity-building that responds to these demographic changes and sets a direction toward age-inclusivity across sectors and in communities is a critical policy priority. Yet Canada has seen a slow response.
Building health-care capacity to meet the needs of older adults is an important component, along with investments that recognize and enable the contributions and autonomy of older persons. We also need short- and long-term action to promote healthy aging and age-friendly environments and we need to safeguard the human rights of older persons.
This requires vision and leadership, co-ordination and collaboration across governments and sectors, with dedicated funding and accountable goals, performance measurement and meaningful involvement of older persons.
A needed national aging strategy
During the 2025 federal election, the Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA), of which Federal Retirees is a founding member, called for a whole-of-government national aging strategy grounded in human rights.
The strategy would challenge ageism, promote equity and leverage the capacity of older persons. The CCAA called for a strategy that also reflects the full diversity of the aging population and upholds human rights across health, housing, economic participation and community life.
COURAGE: Action for better aging, is a national initiative led by Covenant Health, Canada’s largest Catholic health-care provider and a partner within Alberta’s integrated health system and SE Health, a not-for-profit social enterprise bringing excellence and innovation to home care, seniors’ lifestyle and family caregiving. The initiative focuses on re-imagining the future of aging in Canada through innovation and action. Informed by research and community engagement, COURAGE published a policy statement in December 2024 proposing a national aging strategy.
The strategy includes several recommendations that focus on integrated, equitable and inclusive access to supports and resources, prevention and maintaining good function to promote high quality of life, strong community networks, mental and emotional well-being, financial security and age-friendly environments that support autonomy.
The policy statement states “[a]t its core, this strategy must embrace a person-centred approach, reflecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of Canadians across different ages, abilities, cultures and traditions. It recognizes the social determinants of health, such as income, housing and social inclusion, as key drivers of aging outcomes and emphasizes the importance of shifting from a narrow focus on “healthy aging” to a broader commitment to “successful aging,” [through which] well-being is prioritized at every level of health and ability.”
A now issue
A response to an aging population and ageism is not a future issue. It’s a now issue. Older persons are essential to Canada’s present and future — and we are all aging. Inaction will deepen inequalities, leave an unreliable health-care system, contribute to economic loss and limit Canada’s potential.
Building an inclusive, equitable Canada that values all ages is important. But to get there, we need bold leadership, commitment and action so all Canadians can age with dignity, autonomy and meaningful quality of life.