Embark’s 2026 report finds 73% of Canadian parents have opened RESPs, yet only 33% feel confident they can pay for post-secondary education costs.
Regional differences are stark: Quebec parents report the highest confidence (49%), while Atlantic Canada has the most parents unable to cover costs (48%). Preparedness and savings levels vary by gender and province.
Despite high RESP uptake and disciplined saving, persistent doubts remain due to rising education costs and economic uncertainty, with many parents saving less than recommended and some unable to start saving at all.
How is the education savings crisis widening the wealth gap for Canadian families?
With education costs soaring, is the traditional RESP still the smartest way to save?
Can Canada's universities survive their financial crisis without passing costs to students?
Are we saving for the wrong kind of education in the age of artificial intelligence?
What skills should children learn now to thrive in the AI-driven job market of 2040?
Will AI create more high-skilled jobs than it destroys for the next generation?