Canada’s seniors aged 85 and older are among the fastest growing age groups in the country.

The latest census data from 2021, released Wednesday morning, says it’s another milestone on the slow march to what experts warn will be a crisis in care for Canada’s elders.

The number of people over 85 more than doubled since the 2001 census, and is expected to triple by 2046.

Environics chief demographer Doug Norris says as the population ages, that will put additional pressure on Canada’s health care and long-term care systems.

Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald with the National Institute on Ageing says the impact could be particularly devastating because Canada’s future elders have not had as many children as previous generations.

That means fewer caregivers to tend to the growing number of people who won’t have access to long-term care spaces.

Doug Norris will have more to say as a guest on Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer Wednesday afternoon at about 12:30.