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Unifor recognizes the International Day of Older Persons, marked each October 1, celebrating the knowledge, experience and contributions of older people in our workplaces, unions and communities.
This year’s theme, The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives, calls on governments and institutions to confront an important reality: living longer must also mean living with dignity, security and meaningful opportunities to participate in society.
The average life expectancy for people in Canada is roughly between 80 to 84 years.
As populations age, strong public systems are more important than ever. Older people deserve access to high-quality public health care, affordable and appropriate housing, reliable public services, secure pensions and dignified long-term care. Workers must also be able to retire with financial security after a lifetime of labour.
At the same time, older workers continue to make essential contributions in workplaces across Canada. They deserve respect, accommodation and protection from age-based discrimination. Employers and governments must support age-inclusive workplaces and provide access to training throughout a worker’s career.
Unifor recently held its annual Retired Workers’ Council in Port Elgin where the theme of defend workers everywhere took centre stage, a mission which the retirees of our union take on each and every day. Throughout the week, delegates tackled resolutions and heard presentations on public health care, retirement security, Canada’s economy, and the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian workers and industries.
After all, retirement does not mean retiring from the fight.
Canada’s approach to an aging population cannot rely on individuals and families to fill the gaps left by inadequate public services. Care work must be properly funded, publicly delivered wherever possible by governments, and performed by workers who receive fair wages, safe working conditions and respect.
On this International Day of Older Persons, Unifor calls for coordinated action to strengthen health care, long-term care, retirement security and social protection.
Unifor continues to call upon the federal and remaining provincial governments to appoint independent seniors’ advocates, as these critical representatives aid in the work of ensuring the best interests of older adults while addressing systemic barriers and monitoring government services they rely upon.
The union remains committed to advancing the rights of older people and building a more equitable society for all generations.
Building systems for longer lives means creating a society in which people of every age can live with dignity, independence and security.
