Retired Teachers of Ontario / Les enseignantes et enseignants retraités de l'Ontario
Registration:
6
of
9
(2023-04-24
to
2023-06-26)
Policies or Program
- Environment -
We are advocating for responsible use of resources, conservation, protecting our air, land and water — improving in all areas is critical to a sustainable future through environmental stewardship. We need to maintain the viability of our ecosystems for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.
- common recycling standards
- safeguarding the water supply and drinking water
- environmentally-sustainable transportation
- Health -
Our health care system (and social systems) needs to re-think how to address the rising needs of this huge demographic of older Canadians. The health system, too, has tended to be oriented to deal with acute care, not for the chronic needs of seniors. The system has also been hospital-based, with less focus on home care and community-based care.
- need more geriatricians
- address long-term care issues
- increase awareness of elder abuse, and resources available to prevent abuse
and help victims, remain lacking.
- Pensions -
More than a quarter of older adults who live alone — the majority of them women — live in poverty. The government must monitor the financial needs of older people and ensure the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security program and Guaranteed Income Supplement realistically address needs.
Protecting pensions and financial security for seniors is key. Defined benefits pension plans would deliver the same retirement income at half the cost of defined contribution plans.
A larger issue connected to pensions exists in the gaps in healthcare and social policies. These gaps continue to create barriers to seniors’ independence and inclusion.
A coordinated National Seniors Strategy, with dedicated funding and accountable goals, will ensure we meet the evolving needs of seniors.