What’s changing for older adults in Toronto, the GTA, Ontario and Canada: money and benefits, health and care, housing and voting. Plain words, the date, and the official source for every story.
News that matters to older adults in Toronto, the GTA, Ontario and Canada, in plain words, with a link to the original source for every story. CASL reads each one at the source and writes the summary; we check for new stories every Monday.
Last checked October 11, 2026. 8 stories from the last 60 days, on money and benefits, health and care, voting, community and housing. Follow along with the news feed (RSS).
The latest
CanadaMoney and benefits
Benefit payment dates to the end of 2026
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.
Ontario expands dementia care in long-term care homes
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.
What the two leading candidates for mayor have promised seniors
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.
National Seniors Day marks 60 years of the Canada Pension Plan
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.
New Old Age Security amounts for October to December
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.
Flu and COVID shots open first to people 65 and older
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.
A new long-term care home with 192 beds opens in Milton
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.
Voting in Toronto on October 26 when getting there is hard
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.
Know of news that matters to older adults, or run a business that serves them? Send it to us. We check everything at the source and decide what we publish.
Questions
Where does CASL’s news for seniors come from?
From the source: the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the City of Toronto and other GTA cities, first, and reputable news outlets when there is no official page. CASL reads each story there, writes a short summary in plain words, and links the original so you can check it.
How often is it updated?
We look for new stories every Monday and add the ones that matter to older adults. The date it was last checked is at the top of the page.
Is CASL’s news political?
No. When a story is about candidates or parties, we cover them by the same rules and link to our Politics tab, where every candidate is shown the same way, side by side, and no candidate is rated. CASL doesn’t endorse any candidate or party.
Does CASL take money to publish news?
No. Nobody pays to be in CASL’s news. A business that serves older adults can send us its story for free; if we publish it, it is labelled “Business spotlight”.
Can I send CASL a story?
Yes. Use our form to send news, a story about a business that serves older adults, or a candidate’s commitment. We check it at the source and decide what we publish.
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