The Office of the Seniors Advocate is an independent office of the B.C. provincial government acting in the interest of seniors and their caregivers.
The Office has an information and referral line that is available 24 hours a day, every day. Our senior service specialists will work with you during our office hours to provide resources and help resolve issues. Staff at bc211 will assist after hours.
Making plans and decisions today will help better prepare you for tomorrow.
A resource for all older adults in the province to find resources for planning and living a healthy and active life as they age. Seniors’ families and caregivers will find great information here, too.
Help ensure your later years are safe and secure by learning about programs, services, and information available for seniors.
BC211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. 211 provides information and referral to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist with: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and much more.
Practical information about assistive technologies and equipment.
Ability411 answers questions and provides practical information about technologies, tools and equipment that increase independence and well-being for BC seniors, and support their families and care teams.
Check out the recreation guide with programs available for seniors and others.
Acivities, classes and schedules. See what is available to help you meet your goals.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is committed to working inclusively and collaboratively with resort partners to provide equitable treatment to people with disabilities regarding the use and benefit of municipal services, programs, goods and facilities in a manner that respects their dignity and that is equitable in relation to the broader public. learn more about all services provided.
Sign up for Whistler’s Emergency Alert System.
Whistler Alert is the official emergency notification system used by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to communicate with residents and visitors during emergencies. Sign up now to receive alerts via text message, phone, and email of emergencies that may impact your health, safety or property.
The Bylaw Services Department works to educate residents and visitors about our Bylaws with the goal of gaining voluntary compliance, to ensure a positive and safe experience for all.
A good resource page that outlines many topics including how to make a complaint, the Good Neighbour Guide and how to find a bylaw.
Learn about the paying property taxes, RMOW budget planning process, property taxes, and financial planning and reporting.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s most important guiding document that sets long-term community direction.
OCP Document Available here – https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/OCP-adopted-version.pdf?v=2
Government Benefits There are many governments benefits available to seniors. Use the Benefits Finder to ensure you are receiving all possible benefits.
The Benefits Finder is a tool that can help you find Benefits and Services that you may be eligible to receive. It asks a few questions and uses your answers to search.
Includes Employment Insurance, dental coverage, child benefit, pensions and benefits for housing, student aid, family, disabilities and after a death.
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire.
Eligibility for CPP is determined by your contributions to the plan and your age. Consult the eligibility criteria for CPP. Service Canada Office is available in Squamish, or also on schedule at The Chamber of Commerce office in Whistler. See more info here – https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp
Additional benefits may apply for retirement, disability and after a death. You must apply for these benefits.
Additional benefits can include the CPP Post-retirement benefit for ongoing contributions after age 65, CPP disability pension for those unable to work due to disability, CPP Post-retirement disability benefit for those with severe and prolonged disabilities under 65, and CPP survivor’s pension for spouses or common-law partners. Additionally, it outlines the Death Benefit, offering a one-time payment to the estate of deceased CPP contributors.
The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is a monthly payment you can get if you are 65 and older.
Service Canada Office is available in Squamish, or also on schedule at The Chamber of Commerce office in Whistler. See more info here – https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly payment you can get if you are 65 or older. The Supplement is based on income and is available to Old Age Security pensioners with low income. It is not taxable.
Service Canada Office is available in Squamish, or also on schedule at The Chamber of Commerce office in Whistler. See more info here – https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp
A new program for seniors who do not have a dental plan and make less than $90k combined income.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will help ease financial barriers to accessing oral health care for eligible Canadian residents. Applications will open in phases starting with seniors.
If you are a current or former member of the CAF or RCMP, or a family member, they have targeted services and benefits to improve your well-being.
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offers case management services to assist former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as their families, whose transition to civilian life is challenged, often by a serious illness or injury resulting from their service.
The GST/HST credit is a series of payments available to low- and modest-income Canadians. You’re automatically considered for the GST/HST credit when you file your taxes.
You don’t need to apply for GST/HST credit; you just need to make sure you’ve filed your tax returns correctly. After you file your taxes, the CRA will automatically determine your eligibility and deposit the credits into your bank account on a quarterly basis.
Federal Tax Credit to assist with home renovation to add a secondary unit.
The Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (MHRTC), a refundable credit to assist with the cost of renovating an eligible dwelling to establish a secondary unit that enables a qualifying individual (a senior or an adult who is eligible for the disability tax credit) to live with a qualifying relation.
For eligible B.C. residents, the Medical Services Plan pays for medically required services of physicians and surgeons, and dental or oral surgery performed in a hospital. In Canada, public health insurance is available to eligible residents.
Fair PharmaCare helps B.C. families pay for many prescription drugs, dispensing fees and some medical devices and supplies.
All residents of B.C. are eligible for Fair PharmaCare coverage if they: Have Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage, and Give PharmaCare permission to check their income with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Temporary coverage starts the same day you register by phone or online, based on the income information you provide.
Property tax deferment is available to B.C. homeowners who are 55 years or older, a surviving spouse, or eligible persons with disabilities.
The BC Property Tax Deferral Program allows homeowners 55+ to defer all or some of their annual property taxes.
The home owner grant reduces the amount of property taxes you pay each year for your principal residence. If you’re a senior aged 65 or older, you may qualify for a higher amount of the grant called the additional grant.
The BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA) program provides financial help in the form of rebates to eligible low-income households to complete home adaptations for independent living.
RAHA helps fund home adaptations for people with low to moderate household incomes who have a permanent disability or loss of ability. This allows applicants to continue living independently in their own home.
Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities.
The Home renovation tax credit for seniors and persons with disabilities assists eligible individuals 65 and over and persons with disabilities with the cost of certain permanent home renovations to improve accessibility or be more functional or mobile at home.
Rebates for energy upgrades.
Program offering financial incentives, information and support to help households save energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by switching to high-efficiency heating equipment and making building-envelope improvements.
Support for First Nations’ repairs and adaptations for seniors.
Offers financial assistance to Band Councils and Band members to repair substandard homes to a minimum level of health and safety and to improve the accessibility of housing for people with disabilities.
MAC gratefully and respectfully acknowledges that the land known as Whistler lies in the unceded territory of the Sḵwxwú7mesh Nation and Lil̓wat7úl Nation.
