Is the election pitting generations against each other?
Mar 31, 2025
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Rudy Boutignol, President of CARP, advocates for seniors’ rights, while Paul Kershaw, a UBC professor, highlights generational inequality, and Vas Bednar, a public policy expert, offers valuable governance insights. Together, they discuss the stark generational divide in the Canadian election. Young voters voice anger over the cost of living, while seniors are more concerned about political threats. They also explore the impact of pension reforms, housing disparities, and the urgent need for government action to bridge these growing divides.
Younger generations express frustration over the high cost of living, highlighting their struggles with essential expenses like housing and food.
The debate around generational fairness is intensified by differing political proposals aimed at addressing the financial concerns of both seniors and younger voters.
Deep dives
Addressing Generational Economic Concerns
The podcast highlights the stark economic challenges faced by different generations in Canada, particularly in the context of the ongoing federal election. Liberal leader Mark Carney emphasized the difficulties younger generations experience in affording basic necessities like rent and groceries, contrasting it with the more favorable conditions of previous generations. In response, Conservative leader Pierre Polyev proposed tax incentives for seniors, allowing them to earn a tax-free income, along with promises to maintain the retirement age at 65. This debate reflects broader concerns about economic equity and opportunities, sparking discussions on the implications for both older and younger voters.
Politics of Generational Fairness
The conversation reveals a growing call for generational fairness in Canadian politics, with panelists discussing the implications of proposed policies on various age groups. Paul Kershaw pointed out the need for modernizing Old Age Security (OAS), which currently places a significant financial burden on younger Canadians who are also supporting a growing number of retirees. This highlights a potential disconnect between the benefits enjoyed by older generations and the financial reality faced by millennials and Gen Z, who pay a higher proportion of their income toward the welfare of financially secure retirees. The discussion calls for a reevaluation of how government benefits are structured to ensure a fairer distribution of resources among all age groups.
Youth Engagement and Political Aspirations
Younger voters express a sense of impatience regarding the government’s response to their needs, as portrayed by a first-time voter who articulated a generational divide in political preferences. Some young people are gravitating towards the Conservative Party, seeing it as a potential departure from what they view as a stagnant liberal status quo. The influence of new media and non-traditional platforms on the political landscape is significant, with young voters increasingly seeking connections with politicians who resonate with their priorities and aspirations. The dialogue underscores the necessity for political parties to engage youth in meaningful ways, fostering trust and addressing long-term systemic issues related to housing, education, and employment.
Recent polls show a stark generational divide this election, with the majority of young voters angry about the cost of living, while seniors are more anxious about Donald Trump’s threats against Canada. We look at what the different parties are pitching, to all Canadians.
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