October 1: International Day of Older Persons and National Seniors Day

UNION RETIREE Statement: October 1st, 2026

On October 1, the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada joins people across the country and around the world in recognizing older persons. We honour the generations who helped build our workplaces, unions, families, communities, and country. Older people continue to make important contributions, as workers, caregivers, volunteers, mentors, advocates, and community leaders.

People are living longer than ever before. Longer lives are an achievement, but they must also be lives lived with security, dignity, and choice. Every person has the same rights at every age. Those rights do not disappear because someone is older, has a disability or illness, or needs help with daily activities.

Many older people remain active in their communities and make their own choices. Others face barriers that can make life harder, including poverty, loneliness, unsafe or unaffordable housing, inaccessible transportation, and difficulty getting health care or support. Older people are not all the same, and services must respect their different needs, backgrounds, cultures, and wishes.

Age discrimination is a serious concern. No one should be pushed out of work, denied health care, or treated as less capable because of their age. Older people must be able to take part in decisions that affect their lives. They should have access to clear information in ways that work for them, including options that do not require a computer or the internet.

Governments have a responsibility to make sure people can age well. This means protecting public pensions and providing affordable housing, accessible transportation, quality health care, and strong home and long-term care. It also means ensuring that older people have enough income to meet their needs, can get nutritious food, and are protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Care and support should help people live according to their own choices. Needing assistance must never mean losing dignity, rights, or the ability to have a say in one’s life. Older people and their families should be able to find support that is respectful, reliable, and affordable.

The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada supports stronger protection for the human rights of older persons, including a United Nations convention. Such an agreement should help prevent age discrimination, protect independence and choice, guard against abuse and neglect, and improve access to essential services. Older people must have a meaningful role in shaping these protections and the policies that affect them.

We also recognize the importance of solidarity between generations. Older and younger people support one another in families, workplaces, and communities. Fair wages, safe workplaces, strong public services, and secure retirement incomes help people of every age. A society that respects older people is stronger and fairer for everyone.

On this day, we celebrate older persons and thank them for all they have given and continue to give. We call on governments and communities to listen to older people, protect their rights, and make sure everyone can age with dignity, security, independence, and the support they need.

Congress of Union Retirees of Canada, (CURC) representing 500,000 union retirees, is chartered by the Canadian Labour Congress.)