A Global Victory for Older People – Now Canada’s Prime Minister Must Follow Through
This week, HelpAge Canada CEO, Kahir Lalji MA, CPG attends the 58th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, NYC, where a key theme is ensuring healthy lives at all ages.
Celebrating a Landmark Victory
This global gathering comes at a historic moment: On April 3, 2025, the
United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a critical resolution to draft a legally binding international convention on the human rights of older persons. Toward this end, Kahir released an intervention during the 58th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, sharing insights on behalf of the International Longevity Centre Canada, other partner NGOs, and a decade plus of professional experience in Canada and globally. “The (UN) Vienna Convention speaks to the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, migration, refugees – but does not consider the interlay of age,” Kahir said. “The rights of older persons for too long have been ignored. This must change.”
While global progress moves forward, we all must act locally – and urgently, across our own countries.
A Growing pan-Canadian Community Sector of Support
This is where the tireless efforts of Canada’s Community-Based Seniors’ Services (CBSS) organizations already shine: these locally rooted, culturally responsive organizations ensure that older people can thrive, through services and supports created for community, by community.
As Canada’s only registered charity exclusively dedicated to supporting these community-based organizations and the older adults they serve, HelpAge Canada knows firsthand the positive impact of the CBSS sector and the heightened recognition and investment they deserve from government.
In Canada:
✔️ By 2030, one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65 (Statistics Canada | Statistique Canada)
✔️ 96% want to age in their own homes and communities, yet nearly half lack access to the services needed to do so (2024 National Institute on Ageing Survey)
And with a federal election quickly approaching this month, the next Prime Minister of Canada must make older adults a priority – not an afterthought.
Here’s how Canadians of all ages can take action:
✔️ Support the return of a federal Minister of Seniors
✔️ Ask local candidates and MPs where they stand on the rights of older adults (view an age-friendly election messaging toolkit on Canadian Coalition Against Ageism’s website)
✔️ Amplify the new Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) National Caregiving Strategy
As the hard work continues – abroad and at home – join us to support the rights of older people, everywhere.
This week, HelpAge Canada CEO, Kahir Lalji MA, CPG attends the 58th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, NYC, where a key theme is ensuring healthy lives at all ages.
Celebrating a Landmark Victory
This global gathering comes at a historic moment: On April 3, 2025, the
United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a critical resolution to draft a legally binding international convention on the human rights of older persons. Toward this end, Kahir released an intervention during the 58th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, sharing insights on behalf of the International Longevity Centre Canada, other partner NGOs, and a decade plus of professional experience in Canada and globally. “The (UN) Vienna Convention speaks to the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, migration, refugees – but does not consider the interlay of age,” Kahir said. “The rights of older persons for too long have been ignored. This must change.”
While global progress moves forward, we all must act locally – and urgently, across our own countries.
A Growing pan-Canadian Community Sector of Support
This is where the tireless efforts of Canada’s Community-Based Seniors’ Services (CBSS) organizations already shine: these locally rooted, culturally responsive organizations ensure that older people can thrive, through services and supports created for community, by community.
As Canada’s only registered charity exclusively dedicated to supporting these community-based organizations and the older adults they serve, HelpAge Canada knows firsthand the positive impact of the CBSS sector and the heightened recognition and investment they deserve from government.
In Canada:
✔️ By 2030, one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65 (Statistics Canada | Statistique Canada)
✔️ 96% want to age in their own homes and communities, yet nearly half lack access to the services needed to do so (2024 National Institute on Ageing Survey)
And with a federal election quickly approaching this month, the next Prime Minister of Canada must make older adults a priority – not an afterthought.
Here’s how Canadians of all ages can take action:
✔️ Support the return of a federal Minister of Seniors
✔️ Ask local candidates and MPs where they stand on the rights of older adults (view an age-friendly election messaging toolkit on Canadian Coalition Against Ageism’s website)
✔️ Amplify the new Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) National Caregiving Strategy
As the hard work continues – abroad and at home – join us to support the rights of older people, everywhere.
