What is CARP?

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to a ‘New Vision of Aging for Canada’ promoting social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. Our mandate is to promote and protect the interests, rights and quality of life for Canadians as we age.

VISION

A society in which everyone can live active, independent, purposeful lives as they age.

MISSION

CARP is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Canadians as we age by:

• advocating for social change that will bring financial security, equitable and timely access to health care and freedom from discrimination;
• ensuring that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and providing value-added benefits, products and services to members; and
• building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP’s mission

ADVOCACY GOALS

Financial Security Goals

No one wants to outlive their money.

To ensure financial security as people age, there must be:

Freedom from excessive tax burdens and restrictions

Freedom from predatory financial practices and consumer fraud

Adequate guaranteed income support programs

Equitable access to pension and other retirement savings vehicles

Health Security Goals

Good health is fundamental to our quality of life.

To ensure good health as people age, there must be:

Equitable and timely access to high quality health care that is linguistically and culturally appropriate

Uniform and affordable access to medicines and medical devices

Equitable and timely access to ageing at home options

Adequate support and legal rights for caregivers

Easy access to dependable information and resources for healthy living

Human Rights

Freedom from ageism and discrimination of all kinds is a basic human right.

To protect the rights and dignity of people as they age, there must be:

The right to continue working, driving and living independently

Freedom from ageist and other stereotypes in advertising and the media

Freedom from elder abuse

Equal rights to affordable housing

BENEFITS – DELIVERING MEMBER VALUE

Deliver Benefits Members Want and Trust

Develop and offer member benefits and programs driven by what members want most to enhance their lives

Monitor and manage relationships with recommended suppliers to maintain adherence to member value standards

STRENGTH THROUGH COMMUNITY

Your Voice Is Our Voice – Our Voice is Your Voice

CARP is committed to:

Building a strong sense of common cause and common voice with a broad diversity of individuals, groups and communities

Strengthening our national influence through

Incorporating the needs and expectations of our members in our mission; and active, goal-oriented Chapters acting as a volunteer-based resource for promoting CARP’s mission, programs and objectives;

Establishing an effective network of Chapters to sustain timely communication between the National Office, members and communities and to support and encourage members to volunteer their talent, energy and time in service to their community and to the national organization.

But what does C.A.R.P mean?

CARP is a New Vision of Aging for Canada.

We no longer use an acronym.

Just like SCUBA;Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

and LASER; Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

acronyms change into words that have a new meaning in common usage.

Our members no longer need be retired.  In fact, we’ve removed any age barrier from membership. 40 year-olds start planning their ‘retirement’ and have 65 year-old parents. 50-somethings are the sandwich generation, often supporting children and worrying about their own parents, while the 60-plus are redefining what it means to age; living longer, stronger, more vital lives.

Many people no longer wish to retire, and some can’t afford to retire… or they’ve reinvented retirement, with a second career, a commitment to volunteerism or mentorship.

We’ve changed along with our members.

We are an Association.

We are Canadian.

But we’re more than retired.