Aim This study described and compared participation with community activities and perceived barriers among middle?aged and older Canadians by gender and age group (45-64, 65-74, 75-84, ?85 years). Method Using the cross?sectional 2008-2009 Canadian Community Health Survey - Healthy Aging, we considered the frequency of involvement in eight community activities and the presence of 10 perceived personal and environmental barriers. Results Although frequency was globally similar for women and men (15.2 vs. 14.5 activities per month; P < 0.01), adults aged 65-74 years had higher participation (16.0 activities per month) than adults aged 45-64, 75-84 and ?85 years (P < 0.01). Barriers showed wider gender and age gaps than participation to community activities. Notably, health condition limitations were the most reported barrier aged ?65 years, and environmental barriers were generally greater for women than men, particularly transportation problems (P < 0.01), except ?85 years. Conclusion The results highlight that further study of social participation and barriers among older adults must consider gender and age differences. The differences are important to consider for designing population interventions aiming at improving social participation among aging Canadians.