Frequently Asked Questions

The NIA is a public policy and research centre at Toronto Metropolitan University dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults in Canada. We conduct evidence-informed research, develop innovative policy solutions and engage the public in conversations about ageing.

We are based at Toronto Metropolitan University but work nationally with governments, health organizations, researchers, businesses and community groups across Canada and internationally.

Our vision is a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported and better prepared to age with confidence. Our mission is to improve the lives of older adults and the systems that support them.

The NIA is independently funded and supported through a mix of philanthropy, corporate partnerships and project-based funding. This allows us to remain non-partisan and focus on practical solutions that benefit older Canadians.

Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in health, law, research, communications and public policy. We also work with a network of Fellows, Advisors and partner organizations to guide and expand our impact.

You can subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter through the sign-up form on our website.

Many of our events are open to the public, while others are invitation-only for stakeholders. To view an upcoming event or watch a previous webinar, visit our events and webinars page.

You can support us by making a donation, becoming a corporate or research partner, or helping to amplify our work. Click the “Donate” button in the top right navigation of our website for details.

We collaborate with a wide range of partners, including governments, pension plans, health care organizations, academic institutions, non-profits, community groups and the private sector. Any organization committed to improving the lives of older Canadians can be a potential partner. To learn more, contact Suzy Wilcox.

Fellows and Advisors are carefully selected and invited to work with the NIA based on expertise, experience and alignment with our mission.

Our website offers accessible resources, reports and infographics on topics ranging from healthy ageing to financial security. Visit our reports and resources page for more information about our work.

Our reports, policy briefs and infographics are designed to be user-friendly and practical. Stakeholders can use them to inform program design, advocacy, policymaking and service delivery.

While we are not a training provider, our resources—including webinars, reports, survey data and infographics—are widely used by professionals to strengthen their work.

All our publications are open access and available on our website. We encourage stakeholders to cite them directly, using standard citation formats. Each report includes instructions on proper citation.

The NIA provides non-partisan, evidence-informed research and policy recommendations on issues affecting older Canadians. Our work translates data into practical, actionable insights that can guide decision-making on policies that effect ageing Canadians.

We focus on four priority areas: Income adequacy, ageing in the right place, healthy ageing and social inclusion. These areas align with the most pressing issues facing older adults and Canada’s ageing population.

We engage older adults, caregivers and stakeholders from across Canada through surveys, regional engagement and partnerships. This ensures our recommendations reflect diverse experiences and regional realities.

We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with all levels of government to make Canada a place where older adults feel valued, included, supported and better prepared to age with confidence. Governments can engage with us as funders, partners, or advisors on projects that align with the NIA’s shared policy priorities. The NIA is available to government officials to provide relevant data, consult on best practices and co-create actionable policy recommendations. To request a briefing or if you’d like the NIA to participate in a roundtable, please contact us.

Our work supports Canada’s health care reform efforts, poverty reduction strategies, climate resilience planning, labour market policies and human rights frameworks—helping ensure that older Canadians are included in solutions to national challenges.

We encourage decision makers to subscribe to our newsletter, attend our events, and engage with our reports and policy briefs. We are also available for briefings, roundtables and consultations on emerging policy issues.