SUBMISSION TO
Economic Concerns Committee site
BRIEF TO ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
AGE CONSULTATION
FROM CANADIAN PENSIONERS CONCERNED, Inc., ONTARIO DIVISION
NOVEMBER 1, 2000. Prepared by: MAE HARMAN
Canadian Pensioners Concerned, founded in 1969, is a national voluntary organization of
seniors which advocates on issues such as pensions, health care, housing and
transportation. We are concerned not only about those matters which involve older citizens but about all of the factors which make for a just, caring, compassionate, civil society for all age groups.
The Ontario Division of CPC wishes to commend the Ontario Human Rights
Commission for the excellent discussion paper "Discrimination and Age Human Rights Issues Facing Older Persons In Ontario". This paper provides a very strong and qualitative analysis of the current situation with regard to discrimination towards the senior population and gives many
relevant examples. However, we are disappointed that much of this analysis is not followed
through in the recommendations. A more concrete plan of action is needed if we are really to
make a difference in attitudes toward older persons and the prevention of discrimination of
those senior citizens who have contributed so much to their families and communities and to
society ingeneral. Consideration should also be given to recognition of the part older persons can continue to play, not only as workers, volunteers and citizens, with a wealth of life experience, but also in the development of public policies which affect all people and communities. We want not just to have things done to and for us but to be full participants in the building and maintenance of a just and civil society.
There is a myth that at age 65 people suddenly become ill, demented, dependent
and a drain on society. The future entry of the baby boomers into the retirement group has been
used by some to claim that Canada will be unable to sustain public health and pension
programs. The boomers are people who will continue to contribute to their families, communities and the economy.
We turn now to some comments on specific topics in the report.
Health Care
On page 4, mid page, the paper refers to the most prevalent issues as
employment, housing and services and facilities. Health Care certainly needs to be specifically listed as a prevalent issue, which you deal with in some detail on pages 18-21. We certainly agree that there are:
- limited benefits coverage of the health care system;
- inadequate facilities for chronic care;
- inadequate attention to mental health and social well-being;
- inadequate community-based health care.
An additional current health concern of our members is that more and more seniors
are having to resort to the use of Food Banks because they cannot afford to buy both food and the very expensive drugs which are often prescribed but are not included on the list covered by theprovincial drug plan. The alternative is to go without the drugs.
Surely the negative attitudes towards seniors and their health needs, which you
discuss, and the barriers toward elders receiving equal treatment are indicative of discrimination and fall within human rights even though "some of these issues relate to government policy choices" (p. 20).
Yet you make no specific recommendations with regard to health.
Employment
The report recognizes that "in employment there is a maximum age for
discrimination, namely 65". As L'Heureux-Dube pointed out in McKinney: "One is no less competent the day after one's 65th birthday, than the day before. Fundamentally it is a question of
personal dignity and fairness".
The paper's discussion illustrates that discrimination does exist toward the hiring of
older orkers and in the requirement of compulsory retirement at age 65. We strongly
believe that compulsory retirement should be removed from the Code. Persons should be able to
retire from employment at 65 and claim their pensions or choose to continue to work without loss
of Pension. Our economy could well benefit from the knowledge, skills and experience of
older workers. Flexible work programs should be developed for those who prefer part time
work and those who might make special contributions as consultants or trainers.
Recommendation # 1 does not do justice to your discussion in paragraph 2 of page 42.
Aside from the loss to the economy of older workers compelled to retire (and especially in
light of the changing balance of older and younger people in the overall population), compulsory
retirement may cause economic hardship and emotional stress for those forced to retire. Moreover, we must not be influenced by pressures from those who advocate raising the age for eligibility for pensions to 67 or 70 years.
Older Women
We appreciate the recognition of the special needs of women, who tend to live
longer than men and who, because of family responsibilities, lower salaries, and possibly less
opportunities for education and job promotions, may have been unable to amass sufficient
retirement income through pensions and savings. You recognize also the need for more flexibility in the workplace to permit employees to balance work and personal demands.
The existing "accepted" discrimination toward women in employment,
compensation, elder care, etc.,, has a diferential impact - a far harsher impact - on women compared to men. What may have been "acceptable" to men, who were the makers of policies on retirement, employment, services, etc.,, is not acceptable to women and not acceptable to our organization.
Housing
We point out that there are many older people among the homeless and that lack of
accessible low cost housing and rent controls has left many seniors fearful of eviction. There is no place to go!
Transportation
Transportation for the disabled, and for seniors becoming less mobile, is extremely
limited and leads to isolation from friends and community activities and the ability to conduct one's business.
Physical Barriers
Persons with disabilities are discriminated against by barriers which limit their access
to many buildings and services. There is a strong need for a Disability Act and a Building
Code which would require buildings to be accessible. New buildings should be required to be built as
accessible for the disabled and homes should be designed to be adaptable to changing
needs as people age.
Conclusion
The paper recognizes many of the areas of discrimination which older people face and
what other jurisdictions have done or recommend as solutions.
While new policy statements may need to be developed, we hope that time will not be
lost in collecting facts we already know and duplicating studies already completed. What
we need is action on unjust and discriminatory practices. We need also a program of public
education which will make the general public aware of discriminatory practices and what needs
to be done about them.
We hope that in any consultations on these matters there will be a large representation
of seniors themselves, who bring not only first hand knowledge of discrimination but also
extensive life experience as family members, workers and citizens.
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