Evidence of meeting #32 for Status of Women in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was seniors.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Thank you.
I want to thank all the witnesses for being here today. It was really powerful testimony.
Ms. Bronstein, you highlighted really briefly in your comments that you had a proposal for an amendment to Bill C-16. I'm wondering if you could provide that to the committee in writing. I think that would be really useful for context.
I have one question for the witness who is best suited to answer it.
Ms. Bronstein, you talked quite a bit about precarity and how so many of these women are in these situations because they didn't have the same earning potential and their CPP is lower. What is the impact that rising inflation is having on these people, who are on very limited fixed incomes? What are you seeing on the ground?
Director of Policy, National Institute on Ageing
When we survey older adults in Canada—6,000 older adults right across every province and territory—the number one concern people have is the cost of living. Their second one is running out of money, because as you said, when on fixed incomes and savings, you're trying to see how many years they're going to last.
When prices go up, it certainly causes a lot of stress among older adults who are relying on fixed incomes. It's very top of mind.
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
I had a conversation with a constituent a little while ago, and she told me she went back to work. I asked, “Why did you go back to work? You've been retired for a few years. I'm kind of surprised.” She said, “We calculated it, and if I don't get back to work, we won't be able to live the lifestyle we're currently living because we're going to run out of money. With inflation, we can't afford to keep the house heated, we won't be able to afford Internet and we won't be able to afford all of these other things. I'm going back to work now while I am still able.” Are you hearing from any of the older adults you guys are talking about that they're going back to work just to make ends meet?
Director of Policy, National Institute on Ageing
In our survey, we looked at retirement. We found that there is a proportion.... First of all, retirement is changing. People tend to work longer in Canada now, on average, than they used to. We found that some older adults have returned to work. It is a minority, according to our survey.
We're doing a project right now. It's a deeper dive into older adults in the workforce. I'd be happy to share that information once we've done the analysis. I think it merits further investigation, because people are struggling to make ends meet. People are working longer because it's meaningful and they want to, but there are also people working longer because they cannot afford to retire. We need to be able to support those individuals with a pathway to eventual retirement, because some people have jobs they can't physically continue at a certain point.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Iqra Khalid
Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
We'll go to Mr. Louis for our last two and a half minutes.
Please go ahead.
Liberal
Tim Louis Liberal Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses. I'll try to get one question to each of you.
Ms. Tassé-Goodman, you mentioned in earlier testimony today the importance of home care and that home care is lacking. A lack of home care can lead to isolation and more acute health care needs. Our seniors want to live in dignity—it's mostly senior women at this age—and age at home for as long as possible.
We talk about upstream investments for health benefits and social benefits. It's not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do.
Can you put on the record and possibly quantify the importance of upstream investments so senior women can stay at home and age there?
Chair, National Board of Directors, National Association of Federal Retirees
I spoke about a comprehensive government plan. Departments need to talk to each other. It's important that they work together. Transportation for seniors is important. Again, health and access to health services is another vital element.
Let's talk about sustained funding. That will help protect programs and community agencies, and provide a better return on investment. It's important. There's an urgent need to invest in building more housing that's affordable—known as low-income housing—for Canadian seniors. It's also crucial because there's already a trend. Seniors want to live at home. It's much less expensive to encourage people to continue living at home than to invest in large consortiums that are extremely expensive.
Health care and long-term care beds are another factor. Doubling the number of beds is something to consider because the population is going to double. According to Statistics Canada, a quarter of the Canadian population will be 65 years old in 2035. That's huge, for an aging population.
Liberal
Tim Louis Liberal Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Unfortunately, I'm out of time.
I have just enough time to say thank you to all the witnesses. We really appreciate your time.
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Thank you, Chair.
The witnesses mentioned studies and reports. I am wondering if they would be able to send all of those in.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Iqra Khalid
Yes.
I will reiterate, witnesses, that if you have additional submissions to make, please send them along with any studies you've referred to, as Ms. Cody said, to the clerk.
Thank you very much for your testimony today. We really appreciate your contributions to this study.
With that, our meeting is adjourned.