Claude Paul Boivin, Chair of the Alumni Executive, recently posted this story in the January newsletter of CARP Ottawa. CARP is the Canadian Association of Retired Persons. Claude Paul chairs CARP’s Ottawa branch.
Why has CARP taken the lead in the fight against ageism? Simply said, because ageism remains a significant barrier to the full participation of us, older Canadians in society, and it is a genuine threat to our health and economic well being.
There is a tremendous amount of misinformation about we, the ‘older’ generations. Some see older adults as a burden on our society and an impediment to achieving their own goals. The same people who would likely oppose ageism on humanitarian or moral grounds (i.e., they would oppose elder abuse, frauds and scams, etc.) have no hesitation in leveling unfair and untrue accusations against older Canadians out of ignorance or fear. Their messages can seriously undermine the perceived value of older adults in our society and, yes, they threaten our pensions and negatively influence healthcare policies, as the COVID- 19 LTC scandal so tragically demonstrated.
CARP’s Anti-Ageism Tool Kit provides factual information to help you speak up and fight against ageist attitudes. This tool kit reveals the truth about the legacy and the accomplishments of our generations and lays out the real numbers showing that older Canadians continue to make an immense contribution to the economy and to the welfare of Canadian society.
Help fight ageism in Canada. Learn the truth and spread the news about the ongoing contribution of older Canadians!
Bulletin 76
April 2025