A blog post on the Progressive Economics Forum, "Falling Poverty Among the Elderly - A Canadian Success Story," describes how the poverty rate for seniors has fallen from 11.3% in 1989 to just 5.4% in 2006 (3.4% for elderly men, and 7.0% for elderly women.) This puts the average poverty rate for seniors in Canada lower than Sweden (6.6%) and way below the U.S. (21%). The author speculates that the senior poverty rate has fallen due to progressive social policies such as the Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement, as well as high private pensions during the 1970s and 1980s. But poverty among seniors still disproportionately effects women, people of colour, immigrants and people with disabilities. A 2006 report from the National Advisory on Aging, Seniors on the Margins: Aging in poverty in Canada looks more seniors in the next decade, especially marginalized seniors, may not have access to the resources they need. For more information on government policy and seniors see:

• National Seniors Council - advises Canada's Government on all matters related to the health, well-being and quality of life of seniors.
• Seniors Canada - Federal government information
• Canadian Social Research Links - Seniors