UNION RETIREE Sunday Edition - July 19, 2026

19 Jul

Issue 111 – 26, July 19, 2026

Great Start with the draft “Rights of Older People”GAROP Leads our Discussion

This past week, leaders, experts, and groups from around the world gathered at the United Nations (UN) to talk about creating a new international "convention" to protect the rights of older people. The week included meetings with many discussions, speeches, and plans to make sure older people are treated fairly and with respect.

Older people are growing in number worldwide, and many face problems like age discrimination or lack of access to health care, income security. This new treaty aims to protect their rights and help them live better lives. Participants discussed how to make the treaty based on what has already been done. They want to use existing research and ideas to make the treaty strong and effective. Representatives from organizations that work with older people emphasized the importance of including older people’s opinions in drafting the rules.

The meeting started with important remarks from Awa Dabo, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. The main goal was to start working on a treaty that would guarantee basic rights for older adults. During the meetings, participants talked about what the rules should include and how they can make sure countries follow them. They also discussed how to include older people’s opinions in the process.

The meeting opened with important remarks from leaders like Awa Dabo, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. During the meetings, countries shared their opinions. Most countries including Canada said they support the idea of a treaty and want to work together. Participants focused on how to build the treaty based on what they already know and previous work. They agreed that creating a treaty is a good idea. They want a clear set of rules to protect older people’s rights. Representatives from organizations like GAROP and other NGOs shared their ideas as well.

Later in the week, the focus was on how to monitor or check if countries follow the treaty once it is made. This is called "treaty monitoring." Participants talked about how to create a good system that keeps track of countries’ progress and makes sure they respect older people's rights. They also discussed how the new treaty can work together with other UN groups and human rights organizations. These groups can help make sure the rules are put into action and that older people see improvements in their lives.

The meetings at the UN are just the beginning of a longer process to create a treaty that will protect the rights of older persons. The final day of discussion a framework of discussions was proposed over the next year, that would have a draft of the Convention by November 2027.

The first official meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Rights of Older People at the UN in Geneva has concluded, the plan for the next steps includes:

October 2026 – The second meeting: They will choose leaders for five sections of the document, which include the introduction, definitions, list of rights, and how to put the rights into action and check progress.

December 2026 to April 2027 – The leaders will meet with countries, groups, and organizations to discuss what should be in the document.

July 2027 – The third meeting: They will share a draft version of the document and ask for feedback from countries and organizations.

November 2027 – The fourth meeting: They will present a final draft and choose a new leader for the group.

The current Chair of the group, Ambassador Carlos Mario Foradori from Argentina, will keep leading until January 2027. After that, Brazil will take over as Chair.

Many countries, organizations, and experts are working hard to make sure this treaty is fair, effective, and inclusive of older people's voices. In the coming months, the UN will keep working on drafting the treaty. Countries and organizations will continue discussing how to make the rules clear and effective. CURC will continue to update our members of these activities throughout the process.

Day 2 - IGWG1-Daily-Bulletin-DAY-TWO.pdf

Day 3 - IGWG1-Daily-Bulletin-DAY-THREE.pdf

Day 4- IGWG1-Daily-Bulletin-DAY-FOURv2.pdf

More Canadians Working Longer?

Have you ever wondered why many people in Canada are working past the age of 65? In the past, most people retired around age 65 and stopped working. But today, the story is different. Statistics Canada has shown that people are working longer than ever before. In fact, the average retirement age has gone up to over 65 years old! What Stephen Harper tried to legislate is being achieved through the Liberal’s policies and economy.

In 2025, the average age Canadians retire is about 65.4 years. Men tend to retire a little later, at about 66.2 years, while women retire around 64.5 years. This is a big change from the past when most people retired younger.

There are many reasons for this trend, and it’s influenced by how our society and economy are changing.

In earlier generations, women often left the workforce early to raise families. Now, women stay in jobs longer and have earned better pensions.

Canada’s population is getting older. Fewer young people are entering the workforce because of lower birth rates, and fewer immigrants are arriving. This means there are fewer young workers to fill jobs. Because of this, employers are relying more on older, experienced workers to keep their businesses running.

Canada’s economy is shifting toward jobs in services, technology, health, and professional work. Many of these jobs need skills and experience, which older workers have. Plus, many of these jobs are less physically demanding than jobs in the past, so people can work longer.

Many in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s are in good health. Because they feel good and want to stay active, some choose to work longer or switch to part-time work instead of retiring completely.

Canada used to have a law that everyone had to stop working at age 65, but that was changed in 2009. Now, people can choose to work past 65 if they want. Employers and the government are also becoming more open to older workers, making it easier for them to stay employed.

Since 2009, it’s no longer mandatory to retire at 65.

The average retirement age has increased by about 3.4 years since 2002.

Women tend to retire earlier than men, at about 64.5 years old, compared to 66.5 years for men.

Many Canadians plan to work longer, with more considering part-time jobs after retirement.

Many retiring Canadians carry some debt, including mortgages, but most believe they are managing their money well going into retirement.

Some people retire early because they have enough money, inherit wealth, or want to stop working for health reasons. Others stay longer because they need the income or want to stay active.

In Canada, people can start getting government benefits like Old Age Security (OAS) at age 65, but they can also choose to wait and get more money later. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) can be started at age 60 or later, and waiting can increase the amount you receive.

Deciding when to retire depends on each person’s situation. Some can afford to retire early, while others need to work longer to save enough money. Many Canadians retire between 60 and 70 years old, depending on their finances and health.

The average retirement age in Canada is now over 65, and more people are working longer because of changes in society, health, and the economy. The trend shows Canadians are adjusting to longer lives and more active lifestyles. As the population continues to age, it’s important for policies and employers to support older workers and help ensure everyone can retire comfortably when they choose.