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Seniors on the margins
Seniors from ethnocultural minorities
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Key issues
A number of factors contribute to the marginalization of ethnic minority
seniors. Barriers to health care and other services such as those stemming
from language and culture differences, discrimination and racism, or a
lack of access to income sources, can lead to situations of isolation,
dependency and poverty. Other factors such as being born in or outside
of Canada, the age at immigration and the number of years worked since
immigration can also play significant roles in the degree to which barriers
exist. Marginalization, however, is not limited to only those born outside
of Canada. Many Canadian-born seniors from ethnocultural minorities face
difficulties resulting from cultural insensitivity and racism. Creating
solutions to meet the needs of an aging population that is increasingly
diverse will require joint efforts on the part of health care providers,
government, service agencies as well as ethnic minority seniors themselves.
Income
Improvements to seniors' economic well-being have not been shared equally
across the seniors population. In 1995, older immigrant men received 8.5%
less income than Canadian-born men, while older immigrant women received
9.2% less income than Canadian-born women.1 Immigrant seniors,
especially women, face higher rates of poverty than seniors born in Canada.
In 1995, 17.5% of immigrant senior men and 26.5% of immigrant senior women
had low incomes compared to 11.5% of non-immigrant senior men and 23%
of non-immigrant senior women.2
This inequality can partially be explained by Canada's pension system,
which assumes that people will save over their working years in order
to fund their retirement. For seniors who came to Canada in their middle
age, late entry into the Canadian labour force means that they will have
had less time to accumulate savings for their retirement than people who
have worked their entire life in Canada. Compounding this is the fact
that immigrants usually arrive with little personal wealth. Although Canadian
immigrants tend to have lower than average incomes in their first years
in Canada, in the past, most have generally been able to catch up to their
Canadian-born counterparts. However, this appears less likely for the
future and the Canadian Council for Social Development expressed concern
that "recent immigrants are having greater difficulties in the labour
market than did previous immigrants, and that their incomes may never
reach the Canadian average."3
The income disadvantage faced by Canada's immigrants is illustrated by
reports that the prospect for retirement is much more uncertain for immigrant
adults than it is for their non-immigrant counterparts. According to recent
national survey results, close to one-half of non-retired immigrants aged
45-59 do not know if or when they will retire. One-half also expressed
concerns about the adequacy of their financial preparations for retirement.
In comparison, only one-third of non-immigrant pre-retirees do not plan
or do not know when they plan to retire and feel that they have not been
able to make adequate financial preparations for retirement.4
The economic situation of recently-arrived older immigrants is even less
secure. In fact, the older the age at immigration, the more likely one
will live in poverty.5 For those who arrived later in life,
accessing sources of income is particularly challenging. With little or
no work history in Canada (necessary to qualify for Canada/Quebec Pension
Plans) and a 10-year residency requirement to qualify for the Old Age
Security benefit, many immigrant seniors are unlikely to be able to access
public pensions. And even after 10 years, they are only eligible for partial
benefits and do not qualify for full benefits until they have lived in
Canada for 40 years.
Furthermore, opportunities for work are limited: cultural and linguistic
differences, non-recognition of foreign credentials and structural barriers
due to racism can hamper access to education, training and employment
opportunities. In addition, mandatory retirement policies which force
retirement at age 65 can impose significant economic hardship on those
who depend on employment income.
Canadian-born members of visible minority populations are also at risk
for low incomes and are more likely to live in poverty than Canadian-born
members of non-visible minorities. According to one study, they have lower
earnings than their non-visible minority counterparts even when factors
such as potential employment experience, education, occupation and industry
are taken into account. This suggests that there is discrimination in
hiring and workplace practices.6
Recommendations concerning income
Provincial governments, in collaboration with the federal government
should:
1)
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Abolish mandatory retirement policies and amend provincial
and federal human rights legislation which permit discrimination
on the basis of age so that older ethnocultural minority seniors
are able to continue to earn income.
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2)
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Work with professional governing bodies to facilitate the
recognition of foreign credentials and confirmation of professional
standards/ competencies.
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3)
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Provide support for agencies to undertake skills education
and retraining, development, vocational rehabilitation and
job placement for older immigrant adults.
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4)
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Create job placement programs for seniors where they don't
exist, which could include government programs subsidizing
employers to hire seniors in part-time or full-time jobs.
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