A fact is that sales got a big commission by selling the par life, more than 5% probably. So if a client invest $10k per year for 20 years with a total of $200k, the sales could get more than $10k of commissions.
The first 10 years, if you quit the plan, you could barely get anything back. (Quit the first 4 years, 0 value back; Quit at the end of 10 years, around 20% of the money you have invested - Guranteed value, for unGuranted, you may get higher money back).
It is a really long commitment and with the many unknown issues - the future returns, inflation rate. Suppose someone purchased this plan 40 years ago, they could probably only afford $500 a year, now that person dies, and he/she got a paid out life insurance of $100k with the rate of return, which is not a big money. It is very likely 40 years later, $1million will not be a big sum, and one has to suffer today's life quality by contributing $10k or $20k after-tax income and with no other tax benefit like RRSP.
I am not seeing a big value for most middle -income families, unless very rich with income of more than $300k and lots of surplus fund. For Chinese family, because of the culture preference of saving for the future and passing the fortune to the next generation, maybe family income of $200k or more could consider buying a small quantiyty to diversify the investments - the bottom line is not to impact TODAY`s life quality.
Do your work before opening your pocket.
If one really want to buy, shall compare mutiple company`s product. Sun Life's Par Life seem to be having better Dividend returns recent years than London Life. London Life has the longest history though.
And Sun Life`s Par life is more 'fair' for middle-aged male than London Life - means not a big difference in returns for male vs. female of same age.