Issue 106 – 26, June 14, 2026
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
Every year on June 15th, people around the world remember and help stop elder abuse. WEAAD was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2011. It started in 2006 by groups that want to protect older adults. The day helps remind everyone to treat seniors with respect, safety, and kindness.
In Canada, many groups including CURC work all year to support older adults and teach others about ageism and elder abuse. WEAAD helps draw attention to this issue and encourages communities and governments to make positive changes. A 2021 report from the World Health Organization says we need to fight ageism, negative stereotypes and unfair treatment of older people. Ageism can hurt their health and make them feel left out.
Ageism affects seniors in five main areas: health care, jobs, social life, safety, and how they are shown in media. Health care is the most important area to improve. To do this, experts suggest educating people, creating programs that bring generations together, and making communities more friendly for seniors. It’s also important to include older adults in making decisions so their voices are heard.
Research shows that teaching health care workers about aging and changing stereotypes can help reduce ageism. Policies should also consider gender differences because older women often face more discrimination. The goal is to create a society where older adults are respected, included, and live with dignity.
Some ways to help include:
Running campaigns in schools and media to teach about aging and challenge stereotypes.
Organizing programs where young activist and union retirees share experiences.
Training health care workers to see older adults as capable and valuable.
Making cities and communities accessible and safe for seniors.
Include older adults in decisions about community plans and policies.
The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) supports this work. We also stand with the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) as the United Nations plans to create an international agreement (UN Convention) to protect the rights of older persons. This is a big step toward ending ageism and making sure older people are treated with respect and dignity worldwide.
Read more - Report on policy options related to the topic of ageism targeting older Canadians - Canada.ca
Right to Strike
A group of Canadian senators is talking about changing the country’s labor laws. They are worried because recent strikes at ports and rail companies have hurt Canada’s economy and made it hard to trade with other countries. The Senators think that if they change the rules, they can stop work stoppages and keep goods moving smoothly across the country.
These senators I’d like to call “The Carney Boys.” Let’s meet them:
Senator David Wells: Before he joined the Senate, he was a leader in Canada’s offshore oil industry. He worked as Deputy CEO and on the board of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, which regulates oil drilling off Canada’s coast.
Senator Todd Lewis: He has worked a lot with farmers and the agriculture industry in Saskatchewan. He was also on Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee, Agri-Food Canada’s Crop Logistics Working Group, the board of directors of the Western Grains Research Foundation. He was first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and a member of the Canadian National Railway Agricultural Advisory Council.
Senator Duncan Wilson: From 2011 to 2024, he worked at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which manages shipping and ports in Vancouver.
Senator Fabian Manning: He has been involved in politics and business. He served as a Member of Parliament and was appointed to the Senate in 2009.
Senator Jim Quinn: He was the CEO of the Saint John Port Authority and has led several organizations related to ports and business.
Some people believe that the Senate should be abolished, but the Senators say that based on their experience, they can give good advice on labor laws. One could suggest they could be a little bias, it’s really about the bosses finding a way to get in the Senate and looking after their own interest. They think the government should get involved early in negotiations between workers and employers, especially when stopping a strike is very important for the country. Overall, they want to prevent work stoppages from hurting Canada’s economy.
The right to strike is one of the most important rights workers have. It helps make sure there is fairness and respect between workers and bosses. Without the right to strike, workers really can’t stand up for fair treatment or better conditions.
In 2015, Canada’s Supreme Court said that the right to strike is a basic part of workers’ freedom. The court explained that striking is an important part of collective bargaining, when workers and employers discuss wages, hours, and rules. The court also said that striking gives workers dignity and independence, and it’s a human right. It’s a way for workers to show they won’t accept unfair treatment or bad working conditions.
If the government forces workers back to work using laws or orders, this will cause more frustration, conflicts, and tension. History shows that banning strikes often makes disputes worse.
Trying to stop strikes with laws or government orders doesn’t fix the real problems. A strong economy and fair workplaces depend on workers having the power to stand up for themselves. The right to strike helps them negotiate for better wages, safer conditions, and fair treatment.
The right to strike is not just a privilege, it is a basic human right. We must protect it strongly. To have fair and just workplaces, workers need the ability to strike when necessary. Trying to take away this right only leads to more injustice and inequality. We should always stand up for workers’ right to strike now and in the future.
Read more - Keep Canada Moving: Labour, Management and Supply Chain in the Rail and Maritime Sectors
Webinar - Why the Canadian Dental Care Plan needs to expand
Description
Join the Canadian Health Coalition’s Anne Lagacé Dowson in conversation with advocates for universal dental care on Tuesday, June 16 at 12:00 PM ET.
• Dr. Brandon Doucet, dentist and founder of the Coalition for Dentalcare
• Olivier Suprenant, Public Policy and Health Analyst, Union des consommateurs
• Tracy Glynn, National Director of Projects and Operations, Canadian Health Coalition and board member of the Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre Webinars are recorded for later viewing on the Canadian Health Coalition’s youtube channel.
For more information, contact Tracy at tglynn@healthcoalition.ca.
Register - Webinar Registration - Zoom