Advocacy Links
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) came into effect in the spring of 2024, to assist lower-income Canadians with the costs of dental care.
The rules for CDCP eligibility are not based solely on income, which would be the most equitable situation. Instead, in addition to having an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 in the preceding year, you also must not have access to a group dental plan, e.g. through an employer, your pension plan or superannuates organization. You are deemed to have access even if you aren’t actually enrolled in the offered dental plan.
The Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan (STS) offers group dental coverage that is available to any Saskatchewan teacher or surviving spouse that is receiving a retirement allowance. This is true whether or not you had originally joined the STS Dental Plan or declined it. This makes individuals receiving a teacher retirement allowance ineligible for the CDCP.
The STS is working with our national retired teachers’ organization, ACER-CART, to try and address this inequity. The STS has also met with and advocated with Members of Parliament to have these eligibility rules changed. You too can participate in this advocacy by contacting your Member of Parliament. A sample letter is available that you can copy, personalize, and edit as you see fit.
Websites
National Institute on Aging - Homepage - NIA
Canadian Coalition Against Ageism - Home - Canadian Coalition Against Ageism
Centre for Studies in Aging and Health - Homepage - The Centre for Studies in Aging & Health
University of Regina – Centre on Aging and Health - Home - Centre on Aging and Health
Ontario Age Friendly Communities Outreach Program - The Ontario Age-Friendly Communities Outreach Program - The Centre for Studies in Aging & Health
Webinars
Social Prescribing (SSM Conference) - Social Prescribing - Saving Lives and Health Services
Resources
Diversity and Inclusion for Older Adults - Reading List: Diversity and Inclusion for Older Adults
Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada. National Institute on Ageing
Transportation Toolkit. University of Alberta
Falls Among Older Adults in Canada. PHAC (Government of Canada)
Infant Safe Sleep Tips for Grandparents. PHAC (Government of Canada)
A look at the moods and mental health of older Canadians. Statistics Canada
Health-adjusted life expectancy in Canada: Recent trends at birth and age 65 years, 2019, 2020, 2023. Government of Canada
Original quantitative research- Identifying social prescribing core outcomes using a Delphi approach: findings and future directions. Government of Canada.
No More Silent Battles (documentary).
An Age-Friendly and Indigenous inclusive approach to emergency preparedness. The BC Healthy Communities