Issue 88-26, February 8, 2026
We won’t choose between supporting seniors or helping young people.
A group referring to themselves as Generation Squeeze, led by Dr. Paul Kershaw, a policy professor at UBC and founder of Generation Squeeze,are worried about how governments are paying for caring for older adults, especially as the population ages. They say that future costs for programs like Old Age Security (OAS) and health care will become too expensive and that younger generations will have to pay more. But is this true? Let’s look at why we don’t need to panic and how we can make sure everyone is treated fairly.
Having enough money when you retire is very important. It helps you live comfortably and without stress. In Canada, the amount of money people have during retirement varies a lot depending on their age, whether they live alone or with a partner, and how they saved or earned money over their lives.
Seniors in Canada are 65 years old and older. According to recent data, seniors who live alone usually have a yearly income of about $33,600. If seniors live with a partner, their total yearly income is higher, around $74,200. This includes government benefits, pensions from work, savings, and investments.
If you are 65 or older and live in Canada, you probably get money from the government called Old Age Security (OAS). But how much money you get depends on some things, like your age and how much money you earn. Here’s what you need to know. To get full OAS, you need to have lived in Canada for at least 40 years. If you have lived here less, you might get a smaller pension. How much money you earn. If you earn a lot of money, it can affect how much OAS you receive. If you are 75 or older, you get a bigger payment.
If your net income (money you earned after expenses) is more than $90,997 in 2024, you may have to pay back part of your OAS.
For people aged 65 to 74: $742.31a month, for people aged 75 and over: $816.54 a month, but these amounts are not guaranteed. Your actual payment might be different depending on your age, income, and how long you have lived in Canada.
If your income is very high, you might need to pay back some of your OAS money. This is called a “recovery tax.
”As an example, in 2024, the income threshold is $90,997, If you earned $98,000 in 2024, you earned $7,003 more than the threshold. You would need to pay back 15% of that extra amount, which is about $1,050.45. This money is taken from your monthly OAS payments. The amount you pay back is called a recovery tax.
It’s true that more people are becoming seniors. Over the past 50 years, the number of older adults has doubled. As a result, the government spends more on programs like pensions and health care. Governments have many ways to raise money, like fair taxes, that can help cover these costs without making young people pay unfairly.
Generation Squeeze, argue that we should ask wealthier seniors to get no money from programs like OAS. Let's look at why the assumptions behind those beliefs are bogus and why fair taxes are the best way to go. The argument might seem fair because a few retirees have higher incomes. But many seniors rely on these programs because they need support. We should think about making the tax system fairer so that wealthier people pay their fair share. This way, we can fund health care and pensions without hurting those who need help the most.
Another point is about health care. They say that richer seniors should pay more at the doctor’s office. But charging wealthy patients extra can make health care worse for everyone. When wealthy people pay for private care, the public health system gets less money, and that can mean longer wait times and fewer services for everyone. It’s better to keep health care universal, that is, available to all, by funding it through fair taxes that everyone pays based on what they earn.
It’s also important to remember that younger generations already pay more now than their parents did. Instead of trying to take away benefits or charge seniors more, we should focus on making the tax system more balanced. Everyone should pay their fair share, no matter their age or income.
Some people suggest a wealth tax on the very rich to help pay for these costs. While that can help, it’s not enough, we need a balanced approach that includes fair taxes from everyone, not just the wealthiest.
We don’t have to choose between supporting seniors and helping young people. With smart policies, fair taxes, and universal health care, we can care for our seniors today and ensure a fair future for the next generations. We should work together to find solutions that are fair, smart, and sustainable for everyone.
Instead, we should make sure that help goes to seniors who really need it, and that everyone pays their fair share through taxes.
Second, fair taxes mean everyone pays according to what they can afford, so there’s enough money to help all generations.
Third, some believe that the ultra-rich should pay more taxes, so the government has enough money to care for everyone, young and old alike.
Some people, like Doctor Kershaw, want to cut Old Age Security (OAS), which is money the seniors use to help with everyday costs like food, rent, and medicine. He says rich seniors don’t need OAS and that cutting it would save a lot of money. But most seniors rely on this money because they’ve worked hard and paid taxes all their lives.
Most seniors don’t have a lot of extra money. Only a tiny number are very wealthy. Kershaw’s idea would hurt seniors who are just getting by, not the rich. He wants to change how OAS is calculated, which would mean many seniors would get less or nothing at all, even if they need the money to live.
CURC, warns people not to fall for these ideas. Seniors earned their benefits through decades of working, paying taxes, saving, and investing. These contributions and savings helped them build the income they rely on now in retirement. Cutting OAS would hurt millions of ordinary seniors who depend on it to live day-to-day. CURC believes we should help younger people, but not by taking away from seniors who need the support. CURC will fight to protect OAS for all seniors who rely on it.
Read more: - Globe & Mail: How to ensure universal health care stays that way - Generation Squeeze
Attack on Medicare
Medicare helps ensure that everyone, no matter how much money they have, can get the medical care they need. But recently, there have been big changes in Alberta that threaten the future of Medicare across the country. These changes could make it harder for seniors and union retirees to access affordable health care.
The Canadian Health Coalition is rallying on Parliament Hill next Tuesday, February 10 at 12pm. Many health care workers and public health care advocates will send a clear message to the government, enforce the Canada Health Act.
Medicare helps ensure that everyone, no matter how much money they have, can get the medical care they need. But recently, there have been big changes in Alberta that threaten the future of Medicare across the country. These changes could make it harder for seniors and union retirees to access affordable health care.
The Canadian Health Coalition is rallying on Parliament Hill next Tuesday, February 10 at 12pm. Many health care workers and public health care advocates will send a clear message to the government, enforce the Canada Health Act.
On December 18, 2025, Alberta became the first province in Canada to pass laws that allow two different types of health care. One is public health care, which is paid for by the government. The other is private health care, where people can pay extra to get faster or different services. This new law is called Bill 11. It introduces a system called “two-tier health care.”
In a two-tier system, those who can pay privately can get faster treatment. But for people who rely only on public health care, wait times will get longer. Seniors often need quick access to medical services, but if doctors focus more on private patients, public wait times will increase. That means longer waits for surgeries and check-ups.
Bill 11 creates a private insurance market for services that used to be fully covered by the government. This means people might have to buy extra insurance or pay out of pocket for care that was once free. For seniors living on a fixed income or union retirees. this could mean higher costs for health care.
The law also allows doctors to work both in public hospitals and private clinics at the same time. This “dual practice” can lead to doctors prioritizing private patients over those in the public system. Seniors who depend on public health care could face even longer waits or less attention.
Canada’s Medicare was built on principles like fairness and universal access—meaning everyone gets the same care, no matter how much money they have. Bill 11 challenges these principles by creating a system where wealthier people can buy faster or better care. This could lead to a two-tier system where only the rich get timely treatment.
As seniors and union retirees, you rely on Medicare for your health needs. The changes happening in Alberta threaten to end the idea of universal, fair health care that everyone can count on. If these policies spread to other provinces, it could mean the end of free, accessible health care for all Canadians.
It’s important for all of us to stay informed and speak out. We need to protect Medicare and ensure that health care remains fair and accessible for everyone. That means supporting policies and leaders who defend public health care and oppose two-tier systems.
The attack on Medicare in Alberta is a warning for the whole country. Seniors and union retirees should be concerned because these changes could make health care more expensive, less fair, and harder to access. Protecting Medicare means protecting our right to health care that is available to everyone, regardless of income. We must stand up now to keep Canada’s health care system strong and fair for all.
Canada’s health care system strong and fair for all. Read more - The end of Canadian medicare? Alberta legislation opens the door to U.S. health care - CCPA
The Canadian Health Coalition is rallying on Parliament Hill next Tuesday, February 10 at 12pm. Join hundreds of health care workers and public health care advocates to send a clear message to the government: build up public health care, don't tear it down.