Advocacy Initiatives

The CARP 5 – Election Primer

Ontario voters are being sent to the polls 15 months earlier than originally scheduled – and in the middle of a bitter cold and snowy winter season.

In the run-up to the 2022 provincial election, which seems just a short time ago, we introduced the ‘CARP 5‘ – the most pressing issues for Ontario’s seniors according to our members, and it should be no surprise that healthcare issues dominate their top 5 priorities.

While economic concerns, including inflation and threats from US trade tariffs are on the minds of all voters, it is the provincial response to an aging population and the accompanying pressure on the healthcare system that remain top of mind for older voters.

We have the power!

Over 95% of CARP members vote and close to 4,000,000 eligible voters in Ontario are over the age of 60.

CARP is fighting to ensure that healthcare is a main focus in the election, despite efforts by incumbents to distract voters with cross-border issues that may amount to nothing more than U.S. presidential bluster.

Hallway medicine, overcrowding, doctor shortages, and wait times for tests, specialist appointments, and long-term care beds remain a crisis for Ontario’s seniors.

We have updated information on the CARP 5 below, along with details on how the current government has responded to those demands.

CARP remains definitively non-partisan, and we ask our members to hold your own preferred party and candidate accountable to supporting these health priorities. If we have all parties and candidates agreeing to fix these ongoing issues, all Ontarians will be the winner, regardless of the election outcome.

Investments in Home Care

Ontario is facing a deepening human resources crisis in home care worsened by the lasting impact of COVID-19. We simply don’t have enough staff to meet the home care needs of seniors.

Recent data highlights that nearly 48,000 seniors are waiting for Long Term Care (LTC) placements in Ontario, putting immense pressure on health care services, including acute care hospital beds.

As of 2021, approximately 1.6% of Canadians or about 475,000 individuals reported unmet home care needs. Although exact figures for unmet home care needs in 2024 are not yet available, prior trends suggest a portion of calls for home care services continue to go unanswered.

Transforming Long-Term Care.

COVID brutally exposed the problems that have plagued Ontario’s long-term care (LTC) system for decades: inadequate facilities, lack of proper staffing, lack of inspections and infection control and above all, an obsolete model of care that robs residents of dignity and respect, giving them (and their families) little or no voice in their own care.
This goes beyond bricks and mortar, or even more staffing. What we need is a total transformation in the culture of how LTC is provided.
It shouldn’t be an impossible dream. There are a number of innovative models, already embraced in the USA, Europe and Australia (and even in a handful of homes right here in Ontario itself). These include the Eden Alternative, the Green House Project, Hogeweyk Village and the Butterfly Homes model. They’re all based on a patient-centric, emotion-focused philosophy.

Healthcare Wait Times

CARP has consistently fought for the end of hallway medicine and reducing seemingly endless wait times—whether for specialist appointments, ER visits or diagnostic tests. This is because the consequences of delayed care can produce serious outcomes; seniors often experience increased pain, reduced quality of mobility, and worsening health while waiting for treatment or even to see a specialist. These long wait times can impose significant stress on all Ontarians, affecting their social, mental, and economic well-being.

Despite promises to reduce wait times, end hallway medicine, and improve healthcare access, the Ontario government (2022-2024) has made little progress. A more focused and aggressive approach is necessary to implement the required reforms and meet the needs of patients. CARP remains committed to ensuring that these improvements are prioritized so that all Canadians, especially seniors, receive timely and high-quality care.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential in protecting older adults from serious illness and complications. As people age, their immune systems weaken, increasing the risk of severe outcomes from infectious diseases such as COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

In Canada, seniors account for the majority of hospitalizations and deaths related to these diseases, highlighting the importance of staying up-to-date with recommended immunizations. Ontario needs to lead the way in making free vaccines available for all seniors in the province. Whether it’s for influenza, shingles, COVID-19, or pneumococcal diseases. Older Ontarians should have the right to access the best possible vaccines.

Fitness for Seniors

As Ontario’s population ages, promoting fitness and physical activity is key to maintaining health, independence, and overall quality of life for seniors. Recent studies indicate that regular physical activity helps prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis while enhancing mental well-being, reducing risks of falls, and fostering social connections.

A 2022 report from Sheffield University shows that fitness is a preventive measure to staying healthy longer but can also save the Canadian healthcare system up to $23.4 billion.