An analysis of decisions by the Supreme Court of Canada that mandatory retirement for firefighters at age 60 violated human rights but forced retirement of university faculty at age 65 was constitutional indicated that the court relied on stereotypes of older workers as being less competent. (JOW)

There is a strong movement toward legal abolition of fixed-age retirement in Canada. Several factors justify the existing practice, but these arguments are unlikely to prevail, and institutions should consider administrative measures such as facilitation of early retirement, modified benefit plans, and more systematic faculty assessment throughout…