A strategy for seniors is becoming a priority issue in the four federal by-elections coming up on June 30th.

The Canadian Medical Association and CARP – A New Vision of Aging are jointly issuing a challenge today to all candidates to endorse or reject specific elements of a pan-Canadian seniors care strategy.

The Seniors Care Challenge asks the by-election candidates if they would endorse or reject 12 seniors care issues.  Among them: a federal role in setting standards and funding, pharmacare to ensure affordable medication regardless of postal code, and wait time benchmarks for home care and long term care.

“We are issuing this challenge along with the CMA and our local chapters in Ontario and Alberta to the candidates in the June 30 by-elections to commit to the priority health advocacy issues for CARP members.  These are ballot issues for our members,” said Susan Eng, Vice-President, Advocacy for CARP.

For a full list of the seniors care questions posed to the by-election candidates, click here

A recent Nanos Research poll found that 6 in 10 voters in key ridings across Canada would support another party if their current political brand fails to make seniors care a priority in the next federal election.  The by-elections are taking place in the Toronto ridings of Trinity-Spadina and Scarborough-Agincourt, as well as the Alberta ridings of MacLeod and Fort McMurray-Athabasca.