FAQs

Visit our Tin Cup webpage WHAT SENIORS ARE SAYING to hear stories submitted by seniors, family members and others from across Canada.

BC Seniors: Falling Further Behind:
Find out statistics for Seniors in British Columbia – This Report was originally Posted on September 22, 2022 Link to the OSABC website

Statistics in Canada

The “Line of Poverty” – or, as the Government calls it, “the low income threshold” is $25,252.00. 
Most pensioners who live on the government pensions have less than this to live on.

(Carole Fawcett)
  1. There are 7 million seniors in Canada
  2. There are 1.6 million seniors in B.C.
  3. Seniors advocates fear a growing wave of homeless people over 60 as stock dwindles. The 2023 Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver showed 22% were aged 55 and over (CBC).
  4. 1 senior, 65yrs to 74yrs receives $713.34 OAP per month.
  5. 1 senior, 75 yrs and over receives $784.67 per month.

A guaranteed income supplement of $1,065.47 is available, if you qualify.
However, If income is less than $21,624.00, a guaranteed income supplement of 1065.47 is available, if you qualify.
If the senior has extra income, is still working,  receives CPP, and goes over the $21,624.00 per year, the government can claw back and deduct any extra over $21,624.00 (almost $4,000 below the poverty line).
Therefore, all a lot of seniors have to live on, is $1773.34 per month.   The average rent in B.C. for a one-bedroom apartment is about $2,300.00 (Vancouver being $2700.00 per month), a senior who is frugal may spend about $250.00 to $300.00 on groceries per month. This doesn’t include hydro, phone, health prescriptions and basic necessities.  It is expensive all across Canada.  Rents in Edmonton, $1,876.00; Winnipeg, $1,528.00; Toronto $2,502.00 (1 B/R); Montreal, $1,950.00.   

Don’t forget, seniors (aka Boomers) have huge voting power.

The Boomer generation is one of the largest demographics and seniors regularly vote the most.

What is done now for seniors, will impact those in the future as well.

According to the Broadbent Institute – “28% of senior women are living in poverty”.

Lack of money as a senior is not due to bad planning.  “Life is an unpredictable highway”. (Heather Fullager)

“It is an insult when we choose to work a little to improve out quality of life, and then the government claws it back from our pension”.

“My 81-year-old Mom still works part time, as her pension is so low”. 

“My Mom could not afford hearing aids, despite working two jobs most of her life”.

Ageism

World Health Organization states:  
What is ageism?

Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.


What is an example of subtle ageism?

Patronizing language (sweetie, dear, honey, he’s so sweet, isn’t she cute). Thinking older people doing things associated with younger people (mild cursing, having or referring to sex) is adorable or surprising.

Is ageism a form of discrimination?

Ageism is often a cause for individual acts of age discrimination and also discrimination that is more systemic in nature, such as in the design and implementation of services, programs and facilities.

What is an example of ageism in today’s society?

Ageism can take many forms. Some examples of ageism include: jokes about a person’s age and making fun of older adults in general. workplace or health care policies that discriminate against older adults.