By Juliet O’Neill
“Are we done with senior’s discounts?” That headline on a recent CBC article prompted the sample list below of discounts for seniors in or near Lowertown. The article questioned whether seniors’ discounts still make sense, given that Canadian seniors are “wealthier than ever.”
Some outlets proudly invite seniors to shop at reduced rates, while others are rather quiet about it. Seniors are defined as young as 55 at some outlets.
Drug Stores
Shopper’s Drug Mart has a 20% discount on regular-priced merchandise for 55+ customers every Thursday. On random Thursdays they add $10 Savings Card or 10,000 PC Optimum points.
Locations: 50 Rideau Street and 322 Rideau Street
Pharmacie Brisson offers a 20% discount for 65+ every Tuesday on most merchandise. Phone the pharmacy you use for their seniors’ discount policy.
270 Dalhousie Street
Retail
Hudson’s Bay offers 15% off on Seniors’ Day for 55+ every Tuesday on regular, sale, and clearance prices for customers enrolled in their rewards program. Some exclusions.
73 Rideau Street
Giant Tiger offers those 60 and older 10% off on the first Monday of each month. If the store is closed on Monday, the discount applies Tuesday.
98 George Street
Transportation
OC Transpo bus service is free to seniors 65+ city wide on Wednesdays and Sundays. Seniors can purchase a discounted monthly pass of $49.00 ($128.75 regular adult) or single $2.90 trip ($3.80).
Entertainment
National Gallery of Canada has a 65+ annual membership that costs $55, a saving of $20, or $2 off per visit, i.e., $18. Membership provides unlimited admission to gallery exhibits, 15% off at the gallery boutique and cafeteria, 10% off at the Happy Goat Coffee shop, and Tavern at the Gallery, $2 off parking and a free magazine. (Admission is free all the time for Indigenous Peoples. Thursday evenings are free after 5pm for everyone).
380 Sussex Drive
Ottawa Little Theatre – Seniors 60+ pay $26 for a $30 regular ticket.
400 King Edward Avenue
ByTowne Cinema – Seniors 65+ annual membership $8.85 (reduced from $13.26) and dual membership $17.70 (reduced from $26.52).
325 Rideau Street
Fitness
Champagne Fitness Centre and Lowertown Fitness Centre – City of Ottawa
Savings for seniors for drop-ins and passes. A one-year swimming pass at either city-run pool is $178 including tax vs $386 for younger than 65. Both have a sauna. Use of the gym at Champagne costs extra. No gym at Lowertown.
Champagne Fitness Centre: 321 King Edward Avenue
Lowertown Fitness Centre: 40 Cobourg Street
Routhier Community Centre
Routhier provides 10 percent off to 65+ participants in programs such as yoga and healthy cooking, and for drop-in gym time for badminton or pickleball. Cost of programs range from about $60 to $90, and gym drop-ins are less than $5 an hour. There are no classes for 50+ at Routhier this season.
172 Guigues Avenue
Hot lunch and company
Centre de services Guigues, which provides day programs in French for 55+ seniors and adults with disabilities, invites everyone in the community from Monday to Friday to enjoy a low-priced freshly cooked mid-day meal. No age or language requirements to join the day program people at lunch. Starter, main course, dessert and tea or coffee for $11. Main course only or frozen for takeaway $8.
159 Murray St.