This is one of a series of vignettes designed to provide a statistical portrait of seniors in Canada. These first 20 vignettes include data such as numbers of seniors in various age groups, geographic distribution, demographics, home ownership, housing, employment, life expectancy, health, and income.

This report takes stock of the situation of Canadian seniors today by addressing most aspects of life and attempting to anticipate what the situation of future seniors will be in the short and medium term. It outlines the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing public policy makers and all those interested in the issues raised by the ageing population. These issues include: the diversity of seniors (women, men, ethnic groups, Aboriginals, and seniors in rural, urban, & remote communities); health & well-being (including health status, chronic diseases, injuries, abuse, medication use, health reform); maintaining autonomy (family, caregivers, home care & support, transportation, housing, ethical issues); financial security, including retirement & pension income; work & transition to retirement (including volunteer work and adult education); and intergenerational issues.