The Financial Resilience Institute, in partnership with FP Canada, has released new research demonstrating the positive relationship between financial planning and improved financial resilience outcomes for Canadians. The findings are outlined in the Institute’s June 2026 report, Financial Planning: A Catalyst to Improved Financial Resilience and Financial Well Being. This independent report is being publicly shared to help inform policy and expand opportunities for more Canadians to access financial planning support.
Key Findings on Financial Resilience Scores
The Mean Financial Resilience Score for households working with a financial planner is 62.5 as of February 2026, with these households categorized as 'Approaching Resilience.' This is a significant 13.3 Index points higher compared to the Mean Financial Resilience Score for households not working with a financial planner, which stands at 49.2, classified as 'Financially Vulnerable.' Overall, at the national level, households are 'Approaching Resilience' with the Canada Mean Financial Health and Resilience Score of 53.34 as of February 2026.
Widespread Financial Vulnerability
However, based on the February 2026 Index, 74% of the population are experiencing financial vulnerability on some level, spanning all household income demographics. Specifically, the latest Index data highlights a concerning increase in the household financial vulnerability of middle-income families with children under 18 years old, plus no improvement for middle-income working families without children or single parents.
Implications for Policy and Access
For stakeholders and decision makers, this report helps support advocacy and policy related to the development of federal policies designed to help low and middle-income Canadians access an affordable first financial plan, along with follow-up support to implement and adjust it. The study provides new data confirming that Canadians who engage in financial planning, including those working with a financial planner, experience stronger financial resilience outcomes across all household income demographics.
Expert Commentary
“Our research and Financial Health and Resilience Index once again provide clear, independent and data-driven evidence that financial planning has a measurable and meaningful impact on Canadians’ financial resilience across all household income demographics,” said Eloise Duncan, CEO and Founder, Financial Resilience Institute. “Canadians who plan ahead financially, work with a financial planner and create and regularly update a financial plan achieve stronger financial resilience outcomes across all household income demographics. This includes for moderate and low-income households and underserved Canadians. By supporting initiatives to make financial planning advice, support and learnings available to more Canadians, improved financial resilience outcomes can be obtainable.”
