A newly released Abacus Data poll shows that 67 per cent of Canadians say the cost of living where they live feels as bad as it has ever been, underscoring widespread financial strain across the country.
Just 11 per cent of respondents said the cost of living is “not bad,” while 21 per cent acknowledged high costs but remembered worse times. The results suggest economic pressures are being felt more acutely in Canada than in the United States, where a similar question found fewer Americans reporting the same level of strain.
According to Food Banks Canada's HungerCount 2025 report, released in October 2025, nearly 2.2 million visits were recorded to food banks across Canada in March 2025 alone, marking the highest number in history. This figure represents a 5% increase from the previous year and nearly double the monthly visits seen in March 2019 before the pandemic.
The survey also found partisan differences: while a majority of Liberal voters described the cost-of-living conditions as the worst they recall, the sentiment was stronger among Conservative supporters.
Abacus Data said the issue is dominating the public agenda, with grocery prices (81 per cent), housing costs (50 per cent), utilities, healthcare and transportation all cited as key pressures influencing how Canadians interpret government performance and policy priorities.
Conducted Dec. 5–9 with 1,500 Canadians, the poll highlights how affordability concerns continue to shape public opinion heading into 2026.
Insolvencies in Canada remain a growing problem, driven by high living costs, debt servicing pressures, and economic uncertainty. According to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB), consumer insolvencies (bankruptcies and proposals) have risen consistently, with 12-month rolling totals showing increases ranging from 1.9% to 10% throughout 2025 compared to the prior year, and levels significantly above pre-pandemic norms.
In 2025, Canada is experiencing a notable outflow of immigrants, particularly skilled and highly educated economic migrants, with reports indicating record departures driven by economic challenges. Key factors include unaffordable housing costs, low salaries relative to living expenses, underemployment or stalled career progression despite qualifications, and perceived discrimination in the job market.
This "brain drain" disproportionately affects professionals in fields like tech, engineering, and healthcare, with one in five immigrants leaving within 25 years and higher rates among those with advanced degrees, prompting concerns over long-term retention and economic impact.