NIA Makes 2025 Pre-Budget Submission to Standing Committee on Finance
Canada is currently undergoing a significant demographic transition. We will soon join the ranks of countries such as Japan and Italy in being considered a “super-aged nation.”
The National Institute on Ageing’s annual survey of Canadians aged 50 years and over reveals some important trends facing our ageing population:[i]
Social isolation and loneliness are taking a toll: 41% of older adults in Canada are at risk of social isolation and 58% have experienced loneliness, which can increase the risk of mood disorders, dementia, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, falls and premature mortality.[ii]
Older adults are struggling to make ends meet: 24% said that their income is not enough for them. Only one-third (35%) of older adults currently working say they can afford to retire at their desired time.
Older adults are facing significant health challenges: 55% are living with one or more chronic health conditions, yet 32% were unable to access health care services and 50% were unable to access home care services when they needed them.
Ageism is widespread in Canada: 32% of older adults in Canada reported experiencing discrimination because of their age at some point in their lives. When asked about everyday experiences of ageism – such as being exposed to jokes or comments about older adults – that number jumps to 71%.
The federal government must take these trends into consideration when developing the budgetary priorities for 2025. In our recent submission to the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) pre-budget consultations, we urged federal policymakers to tackle key issues affecting older adults in Canada through five key recommendations:
Allocate sufficient resources to fully fund the National Caregiving Strategy, including transforming the Canada Caregiver Credit into a refundable benefit, per the Minister of Finance’s 2021 Mandate Letter.
Fulfil the Minister of Seniors’ 2021 Mandate Letter commitment to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement by $500 for single individuals and $750 for couples starting at age 65.
Increase the funding allocation limit and extend project time periods for the New Horizons Seniors Program to provide much-needed funding predictability and stability to critical community-based seniors service programs working to prevent social isolation.
Support more older adults to age in the right place by prioritizing accessible, affordable housing and developing an Ageing at Home Benefit.
Combat ageism in Canada by supporting a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Adults.
Join us in advocating for a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported and better prepared to age with confidence. Read the full submission here.
[i] Iciaszczyk, N., Neuman, K., Brierley, A., MacDonald, B. J., & Sinha, S. K. (2023). Perspectives on growing older in Canada: The 2023 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey. National Institute on Ageing. Available from: https://www.niageing.ca/2023-annual-survey
[ii] Bull, A., Iciaszczyk, N., Sinha, S.K. (2023). Understanding the Factors Driving the Epidemic of Social Isolation and Loneliness among Older Canadians. National Institute on Ageing. Available from: https://www.niageing.ca/loneliness23