What is the problem? All this shows is that the savings-weighted Canadian savers have a high financial literacy, and do not need the bribery of a tax refund to save.

Given the limited investment options and likely high fees within group RRSPs, If I needed money, I would tap that before tapping my personal RRSP.  Also, the group RRSPs have gatekeepers, and I doubt that the money can be withdrawn for vacations and such (the article referred to "spending", somewhat implying that the spending was frivolous).  Anyway, a big reason to participate in an employer group RRSP is to capture the employer contribution. Within certain tax brackets and saving limits, it may even be savvy to withdraw from a group RRSP to contribute to a long-term TFSA.

Meanwhile, without financial advisers, group RRSPs are less likely to have leakage in the form of a Home Buyers Plan, which encourages short-term thinking.