Background

Ottawa’s population is growing, changing and aging. According to the 2021 Census, 37 per cent of Ottawa’s population is over the age of 50 and represents the fastest-growing age group, with those over 85 and over 100 showing particularly significant increases. In 2021, there were 172,150 older adults over the age of 65 in Ottawa, making up 17 per cent of the population. There are now more older adults than children under 15 and, by 2030, it is estimated that one in five adults will be aged 65 and over. 

Ottawa’s population of older adults is becoming increasingly more diverse and the needs vary greatly between sub-groups of older adults. While people face many challenges as they age, some contributing factors such as low income and living alone are most associated with increased vulnerability and, in turn, a heightened risk of poor health outcomes. Some groups of older adults, such as Indigenous, Black and other racialized groups, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, newcomer and individuals living with disabilities are more vulnerable to poor outcomes due to inequities within the social and health systems in comparison to the general population.

Like many large municipalities in Canada and around the world, the City of Ottawa is responding to these demographic changes and has been implementing an Older Adult Plan (OAP) since 2012.