Friends and colleagues,

Earlier this month, the federal government tabled Budget 2025, “Canada Strong” – a plan focused on major investments in infrastructure while also reducing operating costs. While the budget maintained funding for cornerstone programs like dental care and pharmacare, it offered few new measures to meet the needs of a rapidly ageing population — and leaves important commitments still to be fulfilled.

One continuing program, the Canadian Dental Care Plan, may already be making a meaningful difference in reducing hardship for older Canadians. According to new NIA research, the share of older adults unable to afford dental care fell from 16% to 11%. To put it another way, in just one year, the number of older adults unable to afford dental care has dropped by nearly one-third (31%). If you missed our recent commentary, have a look here.

This context underscores why the NIA's work continues to be so critical. In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll find new research, insights and tools designed to advance evidence-based policy and strengthen support for older Canadians, including:

• A webinar on the Pension Delay Guarantee — a practical solution to improve retirement security for the “massive middle” of future retirees 

• A new joint report on the Canada Pension Plan’s role in a super-aged Canada

• 2025 vaccine resources and a webinar recording to learn about older adult immunizations

• New regional infographics reflecting pan-Canadian perspectives on ageing across nine key indicators

Many thanks,

Mark Hazelden
Executive Director (Interim)
National Institute on Ageing

Giving Tuesday: Your Chance to Support Independent Research for Canada’s Older Adults

This Giving Tuesday, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults across Canada.

As the NIA approaches its 10^th anniversary in 2026, we’re reflecting on a decade of impact driven by people like you—people who care deeply about creating a future where everyone can age with dignity, financial security, inclusion and purpose.

The NIA is independently funded and proudly non-partisan—your gift matters. Your support fuels rigorous research, strengthens national conversations and helps amplify the voices and needs of older adults from coast to coast.
When you give to the NIA, you support research that leads to real change—better policies, stronger systems and practical solutions that help older Canadians live well today and into the future.

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to stand with us as we begin our next decade of work. 

Help us build a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported and better prepared to age with confidence.

Progress on the Pension Delay Guarantee

New Webinar

• In a webinar earlier this week, Dr. Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald presented the Pension Delay Guarantee (PDG), a simple, low-cost policy proposal designed to help Canadians overcome the fear of delaying claiming CPP/QPP to unlock significantly higher lifetime income. Built on years of research and collaboration across academia, industry and government and recently presented to federal, provincial, and territorial officials responsible for the CPP, the PDG offers a small, evidence-based change that could meaningfully strengthen retirement income security for millions.

Globe and Mail Op-Ed:

• The webinar above builds on Dr. MacDonald's recent Globe and Mail op-ed, “Fear is robbing Canadians of secure retirements. This simple CPP/QPP tweak can change that,” and shows how a modest reform can empower more retirees to delay their benefits with confidence — improving financial security in retirement across the country.

Making this Change a Reality, A Call for Endorsements:

• We’ll be sending a letter to the Minister of Finance and Minister of Jobs and Families in the coming weeks calling for the adoption of the PDG. Add your support until December 16^th here.

• Many leaders have already endorsed, including: 

  • The Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM); CanAge; CSS Pension Plan; HelpAge; International Longevity Centre Canada; Observatoire de la Retraite; Keith Ambachtsheer, Director Emeritus of the International Centre for Pension Management; Mel Cappe, Munk School of Global Affairs &
    Public Policy; Rob Carrick, former Globe and Mail columnist; Council on Ageing of Ottawa: Peter Hicks, Nancy Lawand, Joanne Roulston, Richard Shillington, John Stapleton ...and many more!

New Joint Report: Canada Pension Plan Poised to Support a Super-Aged Canada

In a new joint report with the CPP Investments Insights Institute, the NIA and leading academics show how the CPP is uniquely positioned to support Canadians as the country moves toward becoming a super-aged society by 2030. With more than 20% of Canadians soon to be 65 or older, the report finds that the CPP’s design and governance leave it well-equipped to deliver sustainable, fair and lifelong retirement income. 

By 2050, nearly nine million Canadians are expected to rely on CPP benefits, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of retirement security.

Key findings include:

• Built for a super-aged society: Strong design and investment model support resilience as population ageing accelerates.

• Fair across generations: Each cohort pays its share, protecting younger Canadians.

• Lifetime protection: Inflation-indexed benefits act as public longevity insurance, reducing the risk of outliving savings.

New Vaccine Resources for Older Adults + Watch the Webinar

The Public Health Agency of Canada has set an immunization target of 80% for three common and vaccine-preventable diseases. Unfortunately, vaccination rates among Canadians 65+ are lagging this target, with influenza vaccine uptake at 73.5%, shingles at 47.3% and the pneumococcal (pneumonia-prevention) vaccine at just 42.1%. 

The NIA has released its 2025–26 Provincial and Territorial Vaccine One-Pagers, a new set of free, practical guides designed to help older Canadians stay informed about recommended vaccines and what is publicly covered where they live.

These user-friendly one-pagers provide:

• Clear summaries of national vaccine recommendations for adults 65+

• A breakdown of which vaccines are publicly funded in each province and territory and where to get them

• Plus see our updated Guide to Vaccines for Older Canadians and COVID-19 Vaccines - What Older Canadians Need to Know

In recognition of World Pneumonia Day and the 2025-26 cold and flu season, the NIA hosted a special webinar featuring Dr. Samir Sinha and Dr. Vivien Brown, who walked through the new resources and answered common questions and misconceptions about vaccines for older adults. If you missed it, you can now watch the full recording here:

The NIA strongly supports the proposed vaccine-related scope expansions, which have the potential to improve access to immunization for older adults. Read our submission on the proposed Ontario Pharmacy Act Regulatory Amendments to Expand Vaccine Administration Practices of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Intern Technicians. 

Regional Perspectives on Ageing: Key Insights from the 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey

As part of our cross-Canada effort to share the findings of the 2024 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey, we’ve developed a series of regional infographics highlighting what life looks like for older adults in every corner of the country.

These new snapshots explore the experiences of adults aged 65+ across six regions:

• Alberta

• Atlantic Canada

• British Columbia

• Manitoba / Saskatchewan

• Ontario

• Quebec

Each infographic highlights key dimensions of ageing — including social connection, financial security, ageism, access to care and the ability to age in place — offering a detailed look at how older adults are faring region by region.

We hope that these resources support older adults and the organizations that support them from coast to coast.   

NIA on the Road: Advancing Policy, Research & Collaboration Across Canada

Over the past month, NIA leaders and staff have been engaging with partners across the country to share new research and contribute to national conversations on ageing, caregiving and digital inclusion.

Canadian Caregiving Summit – Ottawa
Dr. Samir Sinha, Mark Hazelden and Talia Bronstein joined caregivers, researchers and policymakers at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence Summit. Dr. Sinha presented on international long-term care insurance models and we were pleased to hear Minister Patty Hajdu’s clear call to action: “Families are counting on us to work together.” We look forward to continuing to work with the CCCE and federal partners to better support Canada’s 8 million unpaid caregivers.

Digital Skills Training and Older Adults – National Town Hall - Toronto

At a national town hall hosted by the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and EMPOWrD, Policy Analyst, Arushan Arulnamby, shared early findings from the 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey, including data on smartphone use, virtual care and digital tool adoption among older adults. These insights help inform innovation and policy to support digital inclusion.

Home Care Ontario Symposium - Toronto 
At the Home Care Ontario Symposium, Mark Hazelden presented new survey findings on home care, support needs and how older Ontarians want to age in place. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute research that supports sector planning and policy reform.

Anais Diaz Lozano, Development Officer

Anais joins the NIA from York University’s Annual Giving Office, where she managed a large donor portfolio and supported cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. She previously led donor relations at the Schulich School of Business and contributed to philanthropy and stewardship initiatives at Sinai Health Foundation. Anais also brings experience from the International Federation on Ageing and volunteer work at Belmont House.

Emily Smith, Senior Policy Analyst (bilingual)

Emily comes to the NIA with more than six years of federal policy experience, most recently with the Canadian Coast Guard, where she facilitated national policy analysis, briefings and Indigenous engagement. She has also advised senior leaders at the Canada Border Services Agency and supported national initiatives and communications. Emily will contribute to the NIA’s policy work in both English and French.

Welcome back Talia Bronstein!

We’re delighted to welcome Talia Bronstein back from maternity leave as she resumes her role as Director of Policy. We also extend our sincere thanks to Gabrielle Gallant for her leadership and policy expertise over the past year, and wish her every success in her next chapter.

The Green Bench 

Celebrating 10 years of ElderWisdom, The Green Bench is a heartfelt documentary that follows five Schlegel Village residents as they journey back to meaningful places in their lives. Watch the trailer

Sector Events:

• December 3, 2025: Mutual mistreatment in the context of caregiving: When Neurocognitive Disorders Spark Confusion

• March 26-29, 2026:  International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG) 15th World Conference: Empowering Aging with Gerontechnolog

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TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund

Help create a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported and better prepared to age with confidence by making a charitable gift to the TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund today. Gifts to the TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund make a tangible impact on the future of ageing in Canada. You choose the amount. You make the difference. Donate now!