Every generation leaves something behind for the next - a home, a memory, a sense of belonging. In Greater Sudbury, Finlandia Village has long been part of that legacy, offering a place where seniors can live, recover, and thrive in a community that feels like family.
Now, as the community and the country continues to age, Finlandia is preparing for what many experts are calling one of the most significant demographic transformations in Canada’s history.
A Country Growing Older
Over the next 20 years, the number of seniors aged 65 and older in Canada is expected to grow by 68%. In just four decades, the senior population has more than tripled from about 2 million in 1977 to 6.2 million in 2017. By 2037, that number is projected to reach 10.4 million.
Even more striking is the rapid rise of the 75-and-older age group, which is projected to more than double in size in most provinces by 2037. In Ontario, that demographic is forecasted to grow to roughly twice its current level, representing a deep and lasting shift in who makes up our communities.
This shift, experts say, is a reflection of both progress and challenge. “The aging of the population is, in many ways, a success story,” notes a recent report by the C.D. Howe Institute. “Canadians are living longer and healthier lives. But it also presents a profound challenge for governments, communities, and care providers.”
As the proportion of seniors grows, so too does the demand for care, housing, and support systems that honour aging all while the working-age population shrinks. Lower fertility rates and improved life expectancy have created what economists describe as a “demographic squeeze”: fewer workers supporting more retirees.
A Regional Divide
Not all provinces are aging at the same pace. The C.D. Howe Institute’s data show that Atlantic Canada is facing some of the most acute demographic pressures. In 2017, the region had nearly one senior for every three working-age residents, compared to Alberta, where six potential workers supported each senior.
Ontario lies somewhere in between. Immigration has helped the province attract younger families, slowing the pace of aging compared to other regions. However, even here, the effects are increasingly visible. Declining birth rates, longer lifespans, and earlier retirements are reshaping communities and straining key systems like healthcare, housing, pensions and social programs.
This demographic reality, analysts say, underscores a clear message: our systems must adapt, and our communities must prepare.
A Local Response
Finlandia Village in Sudbury has launched an ambitious Capital Campaign which is not merely a construction project, but a proactive response to the changing face of Northern Ontario.
As the region’s senior population continues to climb, Finlandia’s leaders are working to ensure that older adults can remain in the community they know and love, and be close to family, friends, and the familiar comforts of home.
The new building, currently under construction, marks a major step in that direction. Once completed, it will add 32 new nursing beds and 20 seniors’ apartments to Finlandia. The facility is designed to provide a continuum of care from independent living to full nursing support within a safe and welcoming environment.
According to project updates, construction is progressing steadily. The roof and exterior walls are expected to be completed before the first snowfall, allowing work to continue indoors throughout the winter. The first residents are expected to move in by Fall 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the long-established care community.
Building with Purpose
Every element of the new expansion has been designed with purpose: wider hallways for mobility aids, enhanced natural lighting, improved safety systems, and communal spaces that foster connection and activity.
Finlandia’s Capital Campaign serves as the driving force behind that future. The campaign invites individuals, families, and local organizations to contribute financially or through partnership towards creating more capacity for compassionate care.
Experts agree that as populations age, the challenge of caring for seniors can’t fall solely on governments or institutions. It’s a shared responsibility that extends to every level of society. Communities like Finlandia Village illustrate how local initiatives can lead the way. By investing in infrastructure now, Sudbury is positioning itself to meet the rising needs of tomorrow’s seniors. “The reality is that aging affects us all,” said one community member involved with the campaign. “When we build today, we’re doing it not only for those who came before us but for those who will come after.”
Those interested in supporting the project can contribute through donations, sponsorships, or by spreading awareness of the campaign’s goals.
What sets Finlandia Village apart is that it offers the standard of care that’s accepted by Finnish people, which they extend to every senior who lives there. All cultures are accepted and celebrated at Finlandia.
The new expansion is being done to Finnish standards, with private long-term care rooms, comfortable home areas with their own dining rooms, and a new beauty salon that will be open to nursing home residents, independent residents, and the local community.
Finnish interiors put emphasis on natural light, wood finishes, and nature-inspired settings. Culturally, remaining social and active throughout one’s life is also emphasized. Finlandia Village has a physiotherapy department on site, as well as a bus that takes residents on shopping and museums trips.
With the holiday season coming up, consider making your charitable donation to Finlandia Village’s Capital Campaign— to support seniors in Sudbury as they age with dignity and comfort.
For more information or to make a donation, click here.
This article was sponsored by Finlandia Village, a 2025 Sudbury·com Reader Favourite.