Boomers aren’t really hoarding wealth, but an aging population requires reforms
Canada’s aging population is often criticized for “hoarding” wealth and straining public pensions and health care, but experts say this framing misrepresents reality, as most Canadians are net beneficiaries of the welfare state over their lifetimes, with only top earners contributing more than they receive. Senior health economist Sasha van Katwyk and former Statistics Canada official Michael Wolfson argue that the real challenge lies in long-term fiscal pressures from health care and pensions, which could require gradual tax increases, targeted pension reforms, and efficiency-focused health care changes. They emphasize that focusing on generational blame obscures deeper wealth inequalities and systemic inefficiencies, warning that Canada risks fiscal strain only if structural reforms are ignored.
