https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html News that matters to older adults in Toronto, the GTA, Ontario and Canada, checked at the source every week by CASL, the Chamber for the Advancement of Senior Living. en-ca Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#benefit-payment-dates-end-of-2026 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#benefit-payment-dates-end-of-2026 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Money and benefits The Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security are paid on October 28, November 26 and December 22. The Ontario Trillium Benefit is paid on November 10 and December 10. The GST/HST credit now has a new name, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit; its last payment was on October 5. Why it matters: If an Ontario Trillium Benefit payment doesn’t arrive, the Canada Revenue Agency asks you to wait 10 working days before contacting it. CRA My Account shows your next payment and can send you a reminder about a week before. Source: Government of Canada: benefits payment dates (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html); Canada Revenue Agency: payment dates for benefits and credits (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/benefit-payment-dates.html) https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#dementia-care-long-term-care-2026-10 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#dementia-care-long-term-care-2026-10 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Health and care Ontario is spending nearly $13 million to bring its Improving Dementia Care Program to 13 more long-term care homes, reaching up to 1,300 more residents living with dementia, and to fund up to 153 beds in specialized behavioural units in five homes. The program will then be in 30 homes, with plans for 50 by 2027-28. Why it matters: The province says more than 60% of people in Ontario’s long-term care homes have a dementia diagnosis. If someone you love lives in a home, you can ask whether it takes part. Source: Ontario Newsroom (https://news.ontario.ca/en/news-release/1008123/ontario-expanding-access-to-dementia-care-in-long-term-care-homes) https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#toronto-mayor-seniors-promises-2026 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#toronto-mayor-seniors-promises-2026 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Voting Brad Bradford’s campaign promises to expand the City’s air conditioner help for low income seniors, and says his land transfer tax plan would let seniors downsize in Toronto without the tax. Olivia Chow announced a $5.61 million plan her campaign says would reach 28,000 seniors, with free homemaking help for 5,000, more mobile dental and primary care clinics, and community connectors where many older people live. (Candidates in alphabetical order.) Why it matters: Our Politics tab shows both side by side, area by area, with every source linked. CASL doesn’t rate or endorse candidates. Source: Olivia Chow campaign (https://www.oliviachow.ca/olivia_chow_will_create_a_more_senior_friendly_city); NOW Toronto (https://nowtoronto.com/news/toronto-election-2026-chow-senior-plan-bradford-land-transfer-tax-cut-campaign-promises/); Brad Bradford campaign: plan for renters (https://bradford26.ca/news/bradford-releases-his-plan-for-renters-keep-your-home-cool-your-home-build-more-homes); Brad Bradford campaign: land transfer tax plan (https://bradford26.ca/news/brad-bradford-toronto-mayor-will-eliminate-torontos-land-transfer-tax-for-the-average-homebuyer) https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#national-seniors-day-2026 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#national-seniors-day-2026 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Community Money and benefits October 1 was the 15th National Seniors Day. Stephanie McLean, the federal Secretary of State for Seniors, marked the Canada Pension Plan’s 60th anniversary this year and the Old Age Security program’s 75th, coming in 2027. She said the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for seniors are working together on new kinds of housing, assistive technology and financial mistreatment. Why it matters: Those three topics are where governments across Canada say they are working together for older adults. Source: Government of Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2026/10/secretary-of-state-mclean-marks-national-seniors-day.html) https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#old-age-security-october-december-2026 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#old-age-security-october-december-2026 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Money and benefits From October to December 2026, the most anyone can get from Old Age Security is $762.50 a month at 65 to 74 and $838.75 a month at 75 and older. A single person with income under $23,112 can get up to $1,138.90 a month from the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The first payment at the new amounts is on October 28. Why it matters: You don’t need to do anything: the new amounts are paid automatically. How much you get depends on your income and how long you have lived in Canada. Source: Government of Canada: Old Age Security payment amounts (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html); Government of Canada: benefits payment dates (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html) https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#fall-vaccines-2026 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#fall-vaccines-2026 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Health and care Free flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available from the week of September 28 to people 65 and older and to residents of long-term care and retirement homes, among others. Everyone else can get them from October 26 at participating pharmacies, public health units and doctor and nurse practitioner offices. People 75 and older, and people 60 to 74 at higher risk, can get an RSV vaccine at any time of year. Why it matters: The province says supply varies, so call ahead to make sure your pharmacy or doctor has the vaccine before you go. Source: Ontario Newsroom (https://news.ontario.ca/en/news-release/1008047/ontario-protecting-communities-from-respiratory-illnesses) https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#milton-long-term-care-home-2026 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#milton-long-term-care-home-2026 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Health and care Housing The Village of Ridgeview Court, a new long-term care home in Milton, has opened with room for 192 residents, all in private rooms, in six smaller home areas of up to 32 residents each. Why it matters: New homes add beds in the region. Our guide explains how long-term care works in Ontario and how it differs from a retirement home. Source: Ontario Newsroom (https://news.ontario.ca/en/news-release/1008033/ontario-celebrates-opening-of-new-long-term-care-home-in-milton) https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#toronto-vote-help-2026 https://www.thecasl.ca/news.html#toronto-vote-help-2026 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Voting Toronto votes on Monday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you can’t go inside the voting place, you can ask for your ballot to be brought to you outside. Voter Assist Terminals let people with disabilities vote on their own, every voting place has a braille guide, and you can bring a friend or support person. You can also name someone you trust to vote for you as a proxy; the City Clerk must certify the form by 4:30 p.m. on October 26. Mail-in ballots must reach Toronto Elections by noon on October 14. Why it matters: For help, call 311 or email AccessibleElections@toronto.ca. If you aren’t on the voters’ list, you can add yourself when you vote, with ID showing your name and Toronto address; photo ID isn’t needed. Source: City of Toronto: fact sheet, 2026 municipal election (https://www.toronto.ca/news/fact-sheet-2026-toronto-municipal-election/)