QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
Support for Seniors
December 10, 2025
Senator Moreau, I would like to ask a question about the proposed UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. We should all have the right to age peacefully and with dignity, but for many, this is not always the case. There are 430,000 seniors living below the official poverty line. Older Canadians face higher rates of food insecurity and unmet home care needs, and between 4% and 10% experience elder abuse. When we further disaggregate this data, we find that racialized Canadians continue to fare even worse.
The World Health Organization, or WHO, makes it clear that countries will face major challenges to ensure that their health and social systems are ready for the coming demographic shift. Secretary McLean told senators that the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons requires global cooperation, and Canada is ready to do its part.
Senator Moreau, what is Canada doing to actualize the proposed convention?
Thank you, Senator Greenwood, for fighting for the rights of the elderly.
I would reiterate that the minister said that Canada stands ready to do its part with international partners. In addition, the federal government continues to work closely with provincial and territorial partners to ensure that seniors here at home are supported. The government has taken numerous steps to increase supports for seniors, including increasing Old Age Security, or OAS, launching the National Anti-Fraud Strategy, the Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Economic Abuse and the New Horizons for Seniors Program, to name but a few.
I will certainly raise your question again with the minister to make sure that the rights of all senior citizens — including us in this chamber — are protected.
Will Canada formally commit to adopting the proposed UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons?
Again, I will raise your question with the minister.
