Most gains from economic growth today flow to prioritiestied to older Canadians — retirement income support (Old Age Security) and medical care — leaving less for housing, child care, post-secondary education, and climate action. This is happening even as younger Canadians pay more income tax to support seniors than boomers did when they were younger.

In this episode of Hard Truths Pod, Generation Squeeze founderDr. Paul Kershaw explains why essential services — like health care, education, and child care — should remain universal at the point of entry and why cash subsidies (like Old Age Security) work best when they’re targeted based on need, not just age.

This week's episode is a feed swap with Planetary Conversations– with host Warren Bell.

Planetary Conversations is a podcast that showcases ways to create a world where everyone in the human family and all living things have an assured place, and where every one of usis truly able to make a constructive and creative contribution.

Host, Dr. Warren Bell interviews guests who have, in one way or another, taken steps towards improving life on our planet. Dr. Bell is a family physician who has practiced medicine for nearly fifty years and is co-founder of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) a voice for justice. On this episode, Warren interviews GenSqueeze founder and director, Dr. Paul Kershaw on the topic of generational fairness and the long list of policy changes Canada needs to make to get us there.

Planetary Conversations Podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. It can also be found on-line at voice of the Shuswap.ca or on the radio at CKVS-FM 93.7 The Voice.

It’s no secret, GenZ and Millennial Canadians are finding it harder and harder to afford the basics: rent, child care fees and tuition. In this episode of the Hard Truths pod, Generation Squeeze founder, Dr. Paul Kershaw introduces a new study by Generation Squeeze: “Medical Budgets in an Aging Canada”. He points out a hard truth and draws an important connection: The rising costs of medical care for retirees is crowding out the investments needed to address the affordability challenges faced by younger generations.