BC Forum

09/04/2026

People in B.C. are living longer, healthier lives than ever.

20% of British Columbians are seniors — more than 1 million people.

As B.C.’s population ages, access to services and supports that help seniors live healthy, independent lives is increasingly important.

Learn more about issues affecting seniors in B.C.: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/

09/04/2026

Vaccines help protect older adults from serious illness. But protection needs to be accessible.

This National Immunization Awareness Month, OSA is calling for public coverage of the shingles vaccine for B.C. seniors so cost isn’t a barrier to prevention.

Learn more: https://immunize.ca/

09/04/2026

Some more pins from our collection. The "Buy Union, Buy Canadian" message is always a good one, but these days it's feeling extra salient.

The pins were all likely produced in the late 80s and early 90s for a fight some of us will remember. As Rod Mickleburgh wrote in On The Line: A History of the BC Labour Movement:

"As the turbulent decade of the 1980s drew to a close, labour found itself fighting another adversary—free trade. In the 1988 federal election, unions poured all the resources they could muster to campaign against the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement. They feared huge job losses to low-wage areas of the United States and the inevitable lowering of our own wages and benefits. [...]

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives estimated that Canada lost 334,000 manufacturing jobs over the first six years of free trade, while the income gap between rich and poor widened significantly." p. 243

09/04/2026

For the first time in history, there are more Canadians over the age of 65 than under the age of 15. This massive demographic shift impacts everything from our workforce to our healthcare system, making proactive, smart planning critical. International Longevity Centre Canada is an independent, Ottawa-based organization dedicated to ensuring this shift is a strength, not a strain, by protecting the rights, health, and security of older adults.

Through world-class research, we work alongside governments, universities, and local communities to shape policies that keep Canadians healthy and socially connected as they age. While we advocate for all older adults, we focus sharply on protecting those most at risk—including low-income older persons, recent immigrants, Indigenous elders, and those experiencing isolation.

Support the movement. Share this post to help us build a Canada where everyone can age with dignity and security.

CanAge HelpAge Canada National Association of Federal Retirees National Pensioners Federation

08/17/2026

In 2024, CUPE BC, Employees' Union, BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF), and PSAC - AFPC answered an appeal to fund the restoration of Ray Haynes’ papers that his family donated to UBC Library following his death. Ray Haynes was a lifelong contributor to the labour movement and PSAC BC contributed $1,000 to these efforts.

We’re pleased to share that last month, the Labour Heritage Centre reached out to thank us and inform that the records have been professionally restored and are now part of UBC Rare Books and Special Collections.

You can view a description and download the Finding Aid here: https://rbscarchives.library.ubc.ca/ray-haynes-fonds

08/17/2026

✅ EAPO in partnerships with CEASE International (Countering and Ending Abuse via Structured Evaluation) is pleased to host a 3 day virtual 🔹Older Adult Risk Assessment Training Course: Harm to Older Persons Evaluation (HOPE).
✅EAPO is pleased to collaborate with Dr. Jennifer Storey, a Forensic Psychologist specializing in violence risk assessment and interpersonal violence, to host a 3 day virtual training on the use of the Harm to Older Persons Evaluation (HOPE) tool.

Register and learn more:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/67evd2c

08/17/2026

While older men and women in Canada face similar risks of social isolation, loneliness impacts women far more deeply. Findings from the National Institute on Ageing’s 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey reveal that 61% of women aged 50 and older experience loneliness, compared to 54% of men. Lifelong systemic inequities—including pension gaps, unpaid caregiving demands, and higher rates of poverty in later life—create compounding risks for older women. International Longevity Centre Canada continues to advocate for gender-responsive policies that address these root causes and protect the well-being of older persons.

61% of women aged 50+ experience loneliness, driven by gendered risk factors like poverty, widowhood, and unpaid caregiving responsibilities.

Share this post to bring awareness to the gendered impacts of ageing and help drive policy change.

Read the report at https://bit.ly/4h0MpH2

CanAge COSCO Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of B.C. CMHA National Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health

08/17/2026

Always remember, if you're unsure...ask.

Consider the source! 🤔

Scammers have created videos and webpages promoting false or misleading info about Canadian public pensions.

Canada.ca/Seniors is your official source for accurate and up-to-date pension and retirement information: https://www.Canada.ca/Seniors

08/17/2026

Did you know that veterans and their families may be eligible for emergency assistance? 🤔

The Veterans Emergency Fund provides tax-free payments to veterans, their spouses, survivors, and orphans who are facing a financial emergency to cover basic needs, such as food, shelter, and uninsured medical expenses.

Learn more here: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/financial-programs-and-services/emergency-funds/veterans-emergency-fund

08/08/2026

To BC FORUM members, all families and friends impacted by the devastating wildfires my thoughts are with each and every one of you.

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement on the declaration of a state of provincial emergency in B.C.: