Employment and Social Development Canada not using available information to determine if programs are meeting seniors’ needs

Ottawa, 2 December 2024—A report from Auditor General Karen Hogan tabled today in the House of Commons concluded that Employment and Social Development Canada did not have a comprehensive view of the needs of seniors or the programs in place across Canada to serve them.

Aging can bring new challenges, such as declining health and financial insecurity. In 2023, there were 7.5 million people over the age of 65 in Canada, a total that could almost double within 20 years.

The Old Age Security program, delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada, is meant to strengthen seniors’ income security. The audit found that the department could not show whether the basic level of payment under the program was sufficient to support seniors’ financial security. Although Old Age Security payments are regularly adjusted for inflation by using the Consumer Price Index, the department could not show whether seniors faced a different level of inflation.

The audit found that Employment and Social Development Canada had not set itself up to successfully measure outcomes under the New Horizons for Seniors Program. In 44% of the project files reviewed, the department could not demonstrate that value for money was achieved, relying on information in applications to measure the impact of the program without knowing if funded projects met their intended results.

“As the population of seniors in Canada continues to grow, Employment and Social Development Canada needs to strengthen its analysis to ensure that support programs are meeting the evolving needs of seniors,”
said Ms. Hogan.