October 25 – November 2, 2025
Hello there!
The leaves are still hanging on, but just barely—and so are we as we head into the last week of October! There’s a chill in the air, Halloween costumes are being pulled from closets, and if you’re like us, you’re already eyeing those leftover Halloween candy bags at the store (they’re for trick-or-treaters, we swear). This week brings us Halloween festivities, important payment news, and a major announcement about protecting Canadian seniors from fraud. Let’s dive in!
Chuckles Corner
“At my age, ‘getting lucky’ means finding my car in the parking lot.” — Anonymous Senior
Senior News Spotlight: Your Money Matters
CPP, OAS & GIS Payments Arrive October 29th
Mark your calendars—your October government benefit payments will be deposited on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. If you’re signed up for direct deposit, the funds will hit your account automatically that day. Cheque recipients should allow a few extra business days for Canada Post delivery.
The good news? There’s been a 0.7% increase for the October to December quarter, bringing the year-over-year increase to 1.7% since October 2024. Here’s what that means in real dollars:
- OAS (Ages 65-74): Maximum $740.09/month
- OAS (Ages 75+): Maximum $814.10/month
- GIS (Single seniors): Up to $1,097/month
- CPP: Maximum $1,433/month (varies by contribution history)
For low-income seniors receiving all three benefits (CPP, OAS, and GIS), combined monthly payments can reach $2,200 or more, depending on individual circumstances.
Important reminder: These payments are automatically adjusted—you don’t need to reapply or contact Service Canada. The increase will show up in your October 29th deposit.
New Hope for Fraud Victims: Canada’s First Anti-Fraud Strategy
On October 20th, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced Canada’s first-ever National Anti-Fraud Strategy and the creation of a new Financial Crimes Agency. This is huge news for seniors, who are disproportionately targeted by scammers.
In 2024 alone, Canadians lost $643 million to fraud—a nearly 300% increase since 2020. And here’s the kicker: only 5-10% of scams are even reported. Many seniors don’t report because they feel embarrassed or don’t think anything will be done.
The new strategy includes:
- A dedicated agency to investigate and prosecute financial crimes
- Better coordination between banks, telecoms, and tech companies to stop scams before they happen
- A new code of conduct for financial institutions to identify and prevent economic abuse, especially when family members or caregivers are involved
- Increased resources for the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
As Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State for Seniors, put it: “I’ve heard first-hand from seniors and their families across Canada how their lives were turned upside down by scams and financial fraud. They’ve asked the government to act, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Scam Alert: What to Watch For Right Now
The Fake Government Payment Scam
A scam targeting seniors claims the CRA is sending extra payments to low-income seniors. Fake websites with false information describe these “benefits” and contain links to join Telegram or WhatsApp messaging groups.
Remember: There is NO new $680 rent support payment. There is NO new Grocery Rebate (that was a one-time payment in July 2023). If you see claims about new government payments, check official government websites ONLY—not social media, not text messages, not random websites.
Text Message Traps
Fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the CRA are making the rounds. They mention a line from your tax assessment and ask you to respond “Y” to resolve an issue. If you respond, you’ll get a fake CPP-related link that takes you to a convincing fake CRA website asking for personal information.
What to do:
- Don’t reply to text messages from the CRA—they don’t text about issues
- Don’t click links in text messages
- If worried, call the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281 (ignore any number in the text)
- Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501
The Grandparent Scam Gets an Update
The classic “emergency” scam now arrives via social media and text messages, not just phone calls. Scammers contact grandparents through Facebook, Instagram, or text, claiming to be a grandchild in trouble who needs money immediately.
Red flags:
- They ask you to send money via e-transfer, Western Union, or gift cards
- They beg you not to tell their parents
- They claim to be in jail, in an accident, or stranded somewhere
- Something feels “off” about how they’re communicating
What to do: Hang up or stop texting. Call or text your grandchild directly at a number YOU have saved. If you can’t reach them, contact their parents. Don’t send money to anyone until you’ve verified the story independently.
Upcoming Events Coast to Coast
🎃 HALLOWEEN – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST 🎃
Halloween falls on a Friday this year, which means parties and events all weekend long! Here’s what’s happening across Canada:
British Columbia:
- Vancouver – Parade of Lost Souls: Saturday, November 1st, 7-10 PM. This community-led procession features costumes, music, and lanterns taking over East Vancouver. The route will be revealed after midnight on October 31st. Free, but donations welcome to keep this tradition alive.
- Burnaby – Haunted Village: October 22-26 at Burnaby Village Museum. Self-guided walk through storybook displays transformed into spooky scenes. 4-9 PM nightly. Adults $10, Children 2-12 $5.
- Burnaby – Pumpkins After Dark: Running through October 31st at Swangard Stadium. Over 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins featuring Halloween characters, dinosaurs, dragons, and pop culture icons. Evening time slots available.
Ontario:
- Toronto – Church Street Halloween: Friday, October 31st in Church-Wellesley Village. Canada’s largest Halloween street party! Church Street becomes pedestrian-only from 6 PM to 2 AM. Family-friendly early evening, gets wilder as the night goes on.
- Toronto – Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror: Most evenings through October. Walk the 2km trail through immersive theatrical experiences, haunted gardens, and dark castle tunnels. Earlier time slots available for less intense experiences.
- Toronto – Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland: Select nights through November 1st. Six creepy mazes including “Dark Ride” (abandoned carnival), scare zones, live entertainment, and night rides. Tickets $65-$200 plus fees.
- Mississauga – Music to Remember with George Lake Big Band: Saturday, October 25th, 7-11 PM at Le Treport Wedding & Convention Centre. Live music featuring the George Lake BIG Band and Little Peter and the Elegants.
Ottawa:
- Ottawa Halloween Bar Crawl 2025: Friday, October 31st. Live DJs playing Halloween classics and top hits at multiple venues.
Nova Scotia:
- Halloween falls during Nova Scotia’s quieter period after Seniors Week (which ran October 2-9), but local community centres typically host costume parties and gatherings. Check your local rec centre or library for details.
🍂 OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEK
Ontario:
- Mississauga – A Celebration of Memories: Tuesday, October 28th, 4:30-6 PM at the Active Adult Centre of Mississauga. Music & Meals event. Check in advance for registration details.
- Toronto Maple Leafs Home Games: Saturday, October 25th at 7 PM vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Arena. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.
British Columbia:
- Seniors First BC continues hosting information tables and presentations across the Lower Mainland. Check their website at seniorsfirstbc.ca for the latest schedule.
All Provinces:
- Many communities host “Trunk or Treat” events at churches and community centres for a safer, indoor alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Check your local community board or call your nearest senior centre for details.
Travel Deals of the Week
VIA Rail: Comfortable Train Travel for Seniors
Good news for train travellers! Seniors aged 60+ automatically receive 10% off VIA Rail tickets. Simply create an account, book your tickets, and select “Senior (60+)” as your traveller type when booking.
VIA Rail also offers weekly “Discount Tuesday” savings (when available), and CAA members can save up to 20% on all destinations. Combine these offers strategically:
- Book on a Tuesday when sales are running
- Use your CAA membership if you have one
- Travel during shoulder seasons (early November is perfect!) for better availability
Consider booking trips for April through mid-June or September through October when you can avoid peak crowds while still enjoying good weather. VIA Rail trains have been upgraded for accessibility, with wheelchair-accessible cabins, grab bars in washrooms, and tie-downs available.
Popular routes for fall travel:
- Toronto to Montreal (perfect for a city escape)
- Montreal to Quebec City (stunning fall colors along the St. Lawrence)
- The Canadian: Toronto to Vancouver (the ultimate cross-country journey)
Winter Train Tours
Book a Canadian Winter Train Tour between November 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026 and receive a 10% discount on all advertised tours. This includes The Canadian in Nostalgic and Prestige Class options.
Cruise Deals: Warm-Weather Escapes
Thinking about escaping winter? Now’s the time to book:
MSC Cruises – Senior Club Discount: Travelers over 65 (including your cabin-mate) receive 5% off Inside, Outside, and Ocean View cabins, or 10% off Balcony, Suite, and Yacht Club Suites. Proof of age required during booking.
Royal Caribbean – October Special: For bookings made October 3 – November 3, 2025: Get 60% off on the 2nd guest in your stateroom, plus “Kids Sail Free” (12 and under) on sailings of 3 nights or longer departing after October 4, 2025. Perfect for booking a winter getaway with grandkids!
Air Canada Vacations Flight & Cruise Packages: Save up to $400 per pair on select Flight & Cruise packages to Europe for April-September 2026 departures. Book by November 18, 2025. Plus, pay $0 flight deposit and enjoy 100% refundable flights up to 24 hours before departure.
Tip for cruise booking: If you can travel in November or early December (before the Christmas rush), you’ll find significantly better prices. Caribbean cruises leaving from Florida are especially affordable during this “repositioning season.”
We Want to Hear From You!
Do you know of a local event, fall festival, or senior-friendly gathering happening in your community? We’d love to feature it in next week’s roundup!
Have you spotted a new scam making the rounds? Help protect fellow readers by letting us know what’s happening in your area.
Email us at [your contact email] or share in our Facebook community group. Your local knowledge helps keep this newsletter relevant for everyone!
One More Thing…
With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, we know some of you will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters while others prefer to turn off the porch light and enjoy a quiet evening. Either way, here’s hoping you have a safe and happy Halloween!
And if you’re the type who “accidentally” bought way too much candy? Well, we won’t judge. Those mini chocolate bars aren’t going to eat themselves. (And really, isn’t November 1st just the start of “leftover candy season”?)
Stay warm out there, friends. Winter’s knocking at the door.
Warmly,
Bill and Marilyn Gould
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment
