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A quote from Mr. Peter Wouters, RFG., AIAA., ARP., TEP., FLMI., RHU., CFP., CLU., CHFC., ACS., ALHC., CPCA., CHS., AFSI., EPC CIEPS Advisory Council & Faculty Chair

"Anyone interested in developing a specialty and acumen in the unique needs, wants and issues of today's and tomorrow's elder population will find this a very worthwhile program. We are confident that much of what you will learn you will not have picked up elsewhere, certainly not in a format geared to actionable items and developing deep meaningful relationships with elders, beyond the numbers and figuring out how much is enough" 

Regardless of your discipline or where you operate, knowing more about the right way to manage elder clients and their issues will only make you better at what you do. 

With new Regulations, proper advice and proving value for money is critical to success. An Elder Planning Counselor Designation puts you ahead of the curve.

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A quote from Jim Ruta BA, RHU, FDFS, EPC, CIEPS Advisory Council & Faculty Member.

“An Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) is a student of elder aging issues as they apply to professional and business practice. The EPC is a companion designation that enhances the value of other professional qualifications by helping apply them to consumers more effectively. An EPC is your assurance that your advisor wants to do their job better by knowing your life better.”

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In the words of Rhona Konnelly CLU, CPCA, EPC -  CIEPS Marketing Director and EPC Faculty Member

“We’re living in an unprecedented era of change- Canada’s 55+ population is growing rapidly, redefining what it means to age. This generation is healthier, more active, and more engaged than ever before, making their needs and expectations unique.”

For professionals who serve this demographic, the question is: Are you equipped to meet their evolving needs?

Today’s aging adults are navigating:

* Retirement income planning for longer, more fulfilling lives.
* Strategic healthcare and lifestyle decisions.
* Legacy planning reflects their values and goals.
* Opportunities for lifelong learning and community engagement.

The Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) designation - also known as the Designation of Distinction - provides the specialized training to help professionals like you truly understand and support this dynamic group.

Nothing has changed, and as you know, the EPC Designation program was designed to provide education, knowledge and possible solutions or alternatives for what Rhona is addressing.

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Here is what the Globe & Mail published Jan. 7, 2019 about the Elder Planning Counselor Designation. An excerpt from this article... 

"In Canada, some advisors already specialize in financial planning for older Canadians, certified through an Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) designation offered by the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies. 

Globe Advisor spoke to certified financial advisors with an EPC designation to discuss what key areas of financial planning are different for Canadians aged 80 and up." 

This article should provide you with all the reasons why earning the EPC Designation will help you as you interact with our aging society, and more.

The EPC designation program is endorsed by financial firms, and many delivery partners as well. View some of our delivery partners here - EPC Delivery Partners

Feedback from a recent November 2025 Vancouver EPC graduate:

Hi Alex,

Thank you for this information and for all you and the EPC team do for new, training, existing, and future members of the EPC. It is hard to know what this means for everyone we connect with moving forward, but I can say with confidence that it will benefit everyone in some way. This includes professionally and personally. 

The value of this program is extraordinary. I am especially grateful for the format and the opportunity to participate with amazing instructors and classmates.

Your dedication and commitment to supporting elders through introducing us to various resources and exemplifying the true meaning of caring is evident and commendable.

I am looking forward to putting some of this information and training into real life situations that have meaningful results.

The interaction with other students and instructors can be as valuable as the course material itself!

With much gratitude, 

Shelley Chanut BA, CHS - Simplified Financial Maple Ridge, BC

Feedback from a recent April 2025 Vancouver EPC graduate:

“It has been an amazingly unique journey with you, all the teachers and EPC committee! This course, although only a few days in the class, has left a very profound impact on me. I certainly have become more compassionate, more connected :)

The EPC course brings a very unique and indispensable perspective to the society of professionals. It is so under promoted!”

Olivia Yu (Olivia & YOU Consulting), EPC, TEP, CFP®, FCSI®, CLU®, CIM®, LL.B, MSc – Vancouver, BC

Feedback from an EPC Designation holder received in March 2020:

I have a business offering a variety of services for our ‘boomer’ generation. One of them is that I am a health care case management consultant.

I discovered the Canadian Institute for Elder Planning Studies in early 2016. I decided to take their course. I was also contracted to speak at their conference that year on the health side.

When I took the course, I was so impressed with how thorough it was in the health part. I learned new things as well as recognized that the course was comprehensive.

When I took the financial part, I was blown away. I had no idea! I am not a financial professional, so do not advise – except to highly recommend they seek out a financial professional with the EPC designation and why!

Additionally, as a consultant for the health care field, I was getting hesitation because I’m not a nurse, social worker or some type of health care professional. Well, I just landed a great contract because of what I offer along with the deciding factor of being impressed by my EPC designation!

If you truly want to be in service of your ‘life experienced’ clients, I highly recommend you take this course!

Shirley Edwards, Boomer 3.0 Barrie, ON

Feedback from an individual who received their EPC Designation in 2018, and how the EPC program has helped him with his clients:

Good afternoon Alex,

I just renewed for another year. Thought I would quickly share a short story regarding the use of EPC knowledge. Short version I asked about this older lady at a small restaurant I go to on occasion for lunch. 

She would help tidy up and then be served a meal…literally working for her lunch. I was told her spouse was in a nursing home and their modest govt pension for him was redirected there to pay for his room. 

She was trying to live on $580 a month, others in the restaurant had been helping to pay her bills. When I got home to my den, I sat there thinking something was not right and then I remembered a class on government benefits and specifically GIS which I did not think she had applied for. 

Long story short we got her hooked up with an advocate through a group called life spin and she is now receiving an extra $950 a month or so plus they back dated so she got an extra $2000 she feels like a queen now. We are also getting her some subsidized housing.

None of that would have happened if I had not remembered that class held by EPC. 

Best regards,  

Patrick Kinsella EPC, Kinsella Wealth Management,  London, ON

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