This summative evaluation of the Canada Education Savings Program (CESP) examines
the performance of the CESP. The CESP, which includes the Basic Canada Education
Savings Grant (CESG), the Additional-CESG (A-CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond
(CLB), provides incentives to save for post-secondary education (PSE) using Registered
Education Savings Plans (RESPs). In addition to answering specific evaluation
questions, the evaluation examines to what extent the CESP is achieving its objective,
which is “…ensuring that families can better save for their children’s future education by
providing stronger incentives through the CESP.” This report summarizes the evidence collected from 15 studies prepared specifically for this evaluation. Many other studies were also used to complement these findings. Preliminary findings from the evaluation were presented at the Departmental Evaluation Committee meeting in March 2014.
Why are lower-income parents less likely to open an RESP account? The roles of literacy, education and wealth