Skip to main content
Search
Home / Where There’s a Will There’s a Way: Canadian Perspectives on Estate Planning

Where There’s a Will There’s a Way: Canadian Perspectives on Estate Planning

The vast majority of Canadians believe it’s important to prepare a will or appoint a power of attorney to manage their affairs if they die or become incapacitated, but less than half of them have actually done so — and many of them don’t even know where to start. A new report by the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) in collaboration with RBC Royal Trust finds that only 48 per cent of Canadians have a will; that number drops to 34 per cent for those aged 35-54. The report, titled Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: Exploring Canadian Perspectives on Estate Planning,looks at how well Canadians understand the importance of estate planning, whether they have taken steps to create an estate plan, and what’s stopping them from doing so if they haven’t already. It is based on a survey of 2,001 Canadians conducted by Ipsos in April 2022. 

Where There’s a Will There’s a Way Report Cover
Reports
September 28, 2026
IMPACT REPORT 2025/26: Building a 2025–2026 NIA Impact Report: A Year of Research, Action and Impact

Canada is now a super-aged nation, with one in five Canadians aged 65 and older. As the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) marks its 10th anniversary, our 2025–2026 Impact Report highlights how the NIA is helping Canada respond to this demographic shift through evidence-informed research, policy leadership, collaboration and public engagement.  2025-2026 Impact Report Over […]

More Info
Addressing Dementia in Canada: The Current State, Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Care for People Living with Dementia
Reports
September 23, 2026
Addressing Dementia in Canada: The Current State, Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Care for People Living with Dementia

A new report from the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) is calling for a more coordinated approach to dementia care to ensure Canadians living with dementia and their caregivers can access high-quality care and support, no matter where they live. Addressing Dementia in Canada: The Current State, Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Care for People […]

More Info
Reports
September 23, 2026
Pre-Budget Submission to the Department of Finance

The NIA has released its latest pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance in advance of Budget 2026. The submission outlines seven recommendations to help ensure Canada’s policies and programs better support the needs of our ageing population. The NIA recommends the federal government: Together, these recommendations address financial security, disability supports, caregiving, community-based services, responsible AI […]

More Info