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Canada Needs a Minister for Older Persons: A Call to Action for the 2025 Election |
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As Canada heads toward the 2025 federal election, one thing is clear: older adults are showing up — and speaking up — and so are the organizations that serve them. With Canadians aged 65+ soon to represent nearly a quarter of the population, the voices of older people are more important than ever. Yet, despite their growing numbers and consistently high voter turnout, older Canadians still lack dedicated representation at the federal level.
That’s why leaders across the ageing and caregiving sectors have come together with a bold, united call to action: Canada needs a Minister for Older Persons. In an open letter to all political parties, we’re urging them to commit to creating this long-overdue role — one that can ensure our policies reflect the realities and rights of older adults.
As we head to the polls, let’s make ageing issues impossible to ignore.
Read the full letter here, and share it to help make older voices heard.
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| Read The Full Letter Here |
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2025 Federal Election Platforms Concerning Older Adults |
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Learn about the latest policy proposals concerning older adults in this federal election. From OAS, GIS & CPP to health benefit expansion and ageing in place, see what each party is looking to do for older Canadians.
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| Read The Commentary Here |
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Let Poor Older Adults Work: Policy Recommendations for an Improved GIS
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In a time when more older Canadians want or need to work, the system designed to support them is holding them back. The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) helps lift low-income older adults out of poverty — but its current $5,000 earnings exemption penalizes those who try to earn more.
It’s time for a change. |
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| Read The Full Report Here |
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The Coming Crisis Few Are Talking About: Canada’s Ageing Population
By: Gabrielle Gallant, Director of Policy, NIA, David Coletto, Founder, Chair, and CEO of Abacus Data |
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Canada stands on the brink of a demographic transformation that will redefine our societal landscape – a massive change that is nearly upon us, but almost completely absent from the tariff-dominated discussions and debates in the Canadian election. We are rapidly approaching "super-aged" status, with older adults aged 65 and older already outnumbering children under 15. By 2030, nearly a quarter of Canadians will be older adults. This seismic shift raises some important questions: Are we prepared for the demands an ageing population will place on government services? Are our political leaders ready to address this reality?
Read the article to learn why this reform matters now more than ever. |
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| Read The Article |
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Canada's Super Voters: Ages 65-74 |
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Journalism in Ageing Project Award Winner
The NIA and Toronto Star welcome Jatinder (Jat) Dhillon as the first Journalism in Ageing Project story to be released. With 20 years in media across the UK, Europe, and Canada, Jat brings deep experience from CBC, BBC, and other outlets.
A 2018 study ranked Canada among the top countries for kinlessness—older adults without partners or children. This growing group faces challenges in support and health care but also opportunities for independence.
Jat’s documentary follows three Torontonians ageing alone, uncovering insights into well-being, services, and the unique needs of 2SLGBTQI older adults.
Watch the documentary below! |
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AI in Social Care Summit 2025
We were pleased to participate in the AI in Social Care Summit 2025, organized by the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford. The NIA's Director of Health Policy Research, Dr. Samir Sinha, participated in this year's international panel discussion on Ethical AI in an International Care Context.
Dr. Sinha was joined by Dr. Christoph Ellsesser of the Catholic University of Applied Sciences and Silvia Perel-Levin, a consultant and advocate for the health and human rights of older persons. Dr. Caroline Green, Director of Research at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford and an NIA Associate Fellow, moderated this panel discussion. |
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New Study Exploring How Voice Assistants Can Support Well-Being and Independence for Older Adults Ageing in Place
Are you 55+, live in southwestern Ontario and are interested in learning to use a voice assistant (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant) on a smart speaker? A new NIA-affiliated study is looking for participants.
Selected candidates will be asked to:
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Use a Google Nest Hub smart speaker for 6 months (free of charge)
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Complete monthly check-ins, surveys, and interviews
Participation is primarily online and flexible. Participants can receive up to $412 in compensation and keep their device.
Interested in getting involved? Contact the research team at soarwell24@gmail.com or complete the eligibility survey here!
Researchers and colleagues — please consider resharing this information to help us connect with potential participants or caregivers who might be interested.
This SSHRC-funded study, led by researchers from Brock, Laurier, Western, and U of T, has received full ethics approval (REB# 24-042, Ref# 10015947, Protocol# 00047958). |
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Please join us in welcoming Rizwan Khan as our new Legal Researcher and Analyst!
Rizwan is a lawyer with deep experience advocating for environmental issues and public health, having previously served as counsel with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA). His work has focused on advocating for environmental justice for vulnerable populations, including protecting First Nations’ source waters, greenhouse gas emission regulations, nuclear energy policy, and environmental assessment reform.
He holds degrees from Toronto Metropolitan University, Dalhousie University, and Queen’s University.
Welcome, Rizwan — we’re excited to have you on board! |
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A Natural Experiment on the Effect of Herpes Zoster Vaccination on Dementia
A new study found that shingles vaccination cut older adults’ risk of developing dementia over the next seven years by 20%. The study tracked people in Wales who were around 80 when receiving the world’s first-generation shingles vaccine over a decade ago. Researchers say it seemed to offer larger protections than existing dementia medications, but that more research is needed. Read more about the study here.
Enhancing Innovation in Canadian Hospitals: The Obstacles and the Solutions
Canada’s hospital system is capacity constrained and in urgent need of innovation support, according to a new C.D. Howe Institute report. C.D. Howe Institute Associate Director of Research, Rosalie Wyonch, takes a deeper look at the Canadian health care system’s declining performance despite increased resources – examining the obstacles and enablers of innovation and how they influence hospitals' capacity to adopt and scale innovations. Read the full report here.
UN: Treaty on Older People’s Rights Moves Ahead
On April 3, the United Nations Human Rights Council began an intergovernmental process to draft an international human rights treaty on older people. The UN Human Rights Council’s decision to pursue an international treaty on the rights of older people is a landmark victory in multilateral human rights. Read more here. |
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Sector Events: |
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TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund |
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Help create a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported, and better prepared to age with confidence by making a charitable gift to the TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund today. Gifts to the TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund make a tangible impact on the future of ageing in Canada. You choose the amount. You make the difference. Donate now! |
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| DONATE TODAY! |
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