National Seniors Day is a celebration — but it’s also a call to action. (From left: Secretary of State for Seniors Stephanie McLean, Federal Retirees acting board chair Hélène Nadeau and CEO Anthony Pizzino.)
Oct. 1 marks National Seniors Day in Canada, a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions older Canadians have made, and continue to make, in communities across the country.
For Federal Retirees, this day is an important reminder of both the achievements of older adults and the responsibility we all share in ensuring that aging in Canada is met with dignity, security and opportunity.
Celebrating and looking forward
Older Canadians are the backbone of our communities, serving as leaders, volunteers, caregivers, mentors and builders of the Canada we know today.
But it is also a moment to reflect on the future. By 2040, nearly one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65. Meeting the needs of this growing demographic requires foresight, planning and meaningful action today.
Leading the conversation: Let’s shape Canada's agenda on aging
Association representatives met with the secretary of state for seniors, Stephanie McLean, today to discuss our priorities and the importance of the well-being of our members and all older Canadians in the government’s fall agenda and beyond. This includes:
- Strengthening retirement income security and providing the financial foundation that allows Canadians to age with confidence and peace of mind.
- Ensuring accessible, high-quality care that responds to the diverse needs of older Canadians, including long-term care.
- Building inclusive spaces that combat isolation and foster meaningful connection across generations.
- Creating options that enable people to age safely in the communities they call home.
Well-being in retirement
Federal Retirees is also proud to support an important initiative launching today — the Canadian Study on the Wellbeing of Solo Retirees, conducted by the University of Ottawa Life Research Institute.
According to the 2021 census, almost 40 per cent of people over 65 are single, and almost 70 per cent live alone. That’s about 2 million people in Canada.
Despite the high numbers of solo retirees, we know little about their well-being, quality of life and lived experience. A better understanding of the key areas that affect the quality of life for solo retirees will benefit our members and older Canadians, and lead to insightful and informative retirement planning, inclusive policies and improved quality of life in retirement.
These are priorities that will benefit not only today’s retirees and seniors, but also future generations.
There’s still time to join Federal Retirees’ campaign to shape Canada's agenda on aging, an initiative designed to place older Canadians at the heart of national policy discussions and long-term planning. Take a look at our toolkit for ways you can get involved today.
As we mark this important day, I encourage all members of our Federal Retirees community to join us in building a future where aging in this country is defined by security, dignity and inclusion.