[News] Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for seniors meet to discuss collaboration to support Canada’s aging population

Over the last two days, Canada’s Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum held productive discussions on key priorities to support current and future generations of older Canadians. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors), and the Honourable John Main, Premier of Nunavut and Minister responsible for Seniors.

A demographic shift is underway in Canada—driven by one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the country’s history. One in five Canadians is now aged 65 or older, and within a generation, older adults will make up a quarter of the population. As Canada ages, it is the responsibility of all governments, within the scope of their respective responsibilities, to ensure seniors and Elders can live with dignity and security.

The forum provides a key opportunity for governments to discuss innovative solutions and best practices that support older Canadians. During these discussions, ministers from across the country shared their respective challenges and successes, and provided updates on initiatives and activities to support seniors and Elders and improve their quality of life.

In alignment with these goals, Ministers committed to establishing a dedicated working group focused on powers of attorney. This collaborative initiative aims to strengthen protections and develop strategies to prevent the financial mistreatment of seniors and Elders across Canada.

Additionally, Ministers announced the creation of a second working group focused on assistive technology, which will explore best practices and opportunities for collaboration to help older adults aging in place with dignity regardless of where they live in Canada.

Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating on the following priorities for the 2025 to 2029 work cycle:

• Affordability and financial security/literacy: Contributing to the financial well-being of older adults by examining access to affordability programs, financial benefits and literacy supports, including digital services, that help seniors manage the cost of living and plan for retirement. This includes identifying best practices and mechanisms that improve awareness, accessibility and uptake of financial supports and analyzing the barriers that make it harder for seniors from diverse communities to achieve financial security and resilience.
• Aging in place, healthy aging and wellness: Improving awareness of leading practices in community-based services for older adults, in Canada and internationally, especially those targeting equity-deserving groups and those in rural or remote communities, to better support seniors’ independence and ability to live in their homes as long as possible. This includes reviewing existing tools used to identify programs and community-based services that support healthy aging, wellness and aging at home and examining promising practices to help health care providers and older adults access a range of non-clinical services in the community to improve health and well-being.
• Service navigation support for seniors: Examining access to clear, easy-to-understand information on support services for older adults and identifying case studies of best practices and mechanisms by which seniors and their caregivers learn about and access information, services and benefits.

As the population evolves, governments will keep building a Canada that works for everyone, at every stage of life. Because at the end of the day, the future of aging is everyone’s future.

The federal government will co-chair the next session of the forum with the Government of Alberta, continuing the important work of collaboration and progress.

Note: All governments contribute to the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum by sharing information and innovative practices. Quebec intends to continue to fully assume its responsibilities toward seniors within its territory and does not subscribe to a pan-Canadian approach, but it will continue to collaborate with the forum to share best practices, experiences and expertise in the field.

Quotes

“When governments come together with a shared purpose, we create the foundation for a Canada where every older person can thrive. Our collective commitment strengthens communities, inspires progress and ensures that older Canadians are supported with dignity and respect. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with provincial and territorial partners and advancing shared priorities that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors.”

– The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors)

“Elders in our territory are highly respected for their wisdom and lived experience, having witnessed the rapid changes in our territory. We are tasked with meeting their needs for adequate healthcare, social supports and purpose-built housing. It's been an honour for Nunavut to host the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Seniors in Iqaluit, and this week’s discussions are beneficial for all our governments as we work on a shared vision for the needs of seniors in Canada.”

– The Honourable John Main, Premier of Nunavut and Minister responsible for Seniors

Quick facts

• The Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum is an intergovernmental body established to share information, discuss new and emerging issues related to older persons, and work collaboratively on key projects.
• During this year’s forum, ministers approved the five remaining reports from the 2022 to 2025 work cycle, including one report on innovative housing models for diverse older adults in Canada, two on policy and program options to prevent and address senior abuse, and two on the role of technology in enhancing aging in place and encouraging the safe and effective use of social media by seniors. The reports will be available on the forum’s website in the coming months.