As Canada’s Population Ages, What Happens to Affordable, Accessible Housing?

Experts say more affordable and accessible housing is needed for Canada's aging population with seniors over the age of 85 reported as the fastest-growing age group in the country.

The latest census data from 2021 shows that since 2016, the number of people aged 85 and older grew by 12 per cent, more than twice as much as the overall growth of the Canadian population at 5.2 per cent.

The number of people over 85 more than doubled since the 2001 census, and is expected to triple by 2046, raising questions about who will care for that generation and where they will live.

"Canada is as old as it has ever been and it's only going to get older," Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, Canada's National Seniors Advocacy Organization, told CTV News Channel on Wednesday.

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