What is CARP?
Yes, CARP is a very real and active organization in Canada. It is the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, a national, non-partisan, and not-for-profit association that advocates on behalf of Canadians as they age. Though its name might suggest it's only for those who are officially 'retired,' membership is open to anyone over 50, and the organization's advocacy benefits all older adults, not just its members.
Founded by Lillian and Murray Morgenthau in 1985, CARP was initially modeled after the American Association of Retired Persons but has always been independent. It represents a significant voice for the 'Zoomer' generation (Canadians aged 45 and older), working to influence policy and drive social change to better the lives of its members and all older Canadians.
CARP's Core Pillars of Advocacy
CARP focuses its advocacy efforts on three main pillars that are critical to the well-being of aging Canadians:
- Healthcare: Campaigns for equitable and timely access to quality healthcare for all. This includes advocating for reforms in long-term care, increased investment in home care, and a national pharmacare program.
- Financial Security: Aims to protect the financial stability of seniors. Key issues include eliminating mandatory withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs), enhancing the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) survivor benefit, and increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for low-income seniors.
- Freedom from Ageism: Works to combat age discrimination in all its forms. This includes addressing ageism in the workplace, marketplace, and in government policies, challenging outdated perceptions about aging.
CARP's Impact and Achievements
Over the years, CARP has been instrumental in several policy changes that have positively impacted older Canadians. Through its research and strong membership base, it has successfully amplified the voice of seniors and retirees to government leaders at all levels. Some notable achievements include:
- Repeal of Mandatory Retirement: CARP successfully advocated for the repeal of mandatory retirement, allowing older Canadians the freedom to work as long as they choose.
- Securing Home Care Funding: In recent federal and provincial budgets, CARP's efforts have contributed to securing billions of dollars in new funding for home care services.
- Protecting OAS Eligibility: The association successfully fought against government plans to increase the Old Age Security (OAS) eligibility age from 65 to 67, ensuring the benefit remained accessible to those who need it.
More Than Advocacy: Services for Members
Beyond its powerful lobbying efforts, CARP offers tangible benefits to its members. These are often provided through its media partner, ZoomerMedia, which offers exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services, including insurance, travel, and more. Membership also provides access to local chapters across the country, where volunteers organize events, meetings, and local advocacy initiatives.
Clearing Up the Confusion: CARP the Advocate vs. Carp the Fish
While this article is focused on the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, it's worth briefly addressing the other common association with the term “carp.” In Canada's waterways, especially the Great Lakes, invasive species of fish known as invasive carps pose a threat to the ecosystem. Organizations like Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) actively monitor and work to prevent these species from establishing themselves. However, this issue is entirely separate from the advocacy work of the organization CARP. The two are homonyms and have no relation. To learn more about the organization's work, visit the official CARP website at https://www.carp.ca/.
How to Get Involved
If you are an older Canadian, or care about issues affecting them, getting involved with CARP is straightforward. You can join the association through their website for a modest annual fee. As a member, you can participate in polls and petitions, attend local chapter meetings, and take advantage of member discounts. By joining, you contribute to a collective voice that holds significant influence with policymakers across Canada.
Comparison of CARP's Advocacy Focus Areas
| Advocacy Area | Primary Goals and Initiatives | Key Impact Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Expand home care funding; improve long-term care standards; advocate for a national pharmacare program. | Equitable access to care, reduced hospital wait times, dignity in care. |
| Financial Security | Protect pension plans; eliminate mandatory RRIF withdrawals; enhance CPP/GIS benefits for low-income seniors. | Retirement income security, poverty reduction, financial control for seniors. |
| Freedom from Ageism | Address age discrimination in employment, policy, and public perception. | Workplace fairness, positive aging, protection from elder abuse and neglect. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, CARP is in Canada, and it is an important and influential non-profit advocacy organization for older Canadians. Through its focused campaigns on healthcare, financial security, and ageism, CARP plays a vital role in shaping policies that affect millions of seniors and retirees. By uniting the voices of older adults across the country, CARP works to ensure that growing older in Canada is met with dignity, security, and access to the support services needed for a high quality of life.
