Groceries top financial pressure for Canadians as affordability concerns persist: Survey

According to an online survey conducted by Narrative Research, more than three-quarters of Canadians say food costs have put the greatest strain on their finances in recent months.

The survey released on Wednesday found that 76% of Canadians identified grocery bills as the single biggest pressure on household finances, highlighting the continued impact of affordability challenges across the country.

The survey found that other essential expenses are also weighing on household budgets. Nearly 47% of respondents said gasoline prices have significantly affected their finances, while 33% pointed to mortgage or rent payments. About 29% cited electricity costs as a major financial pressure.

Smaller shares of respondents identified household maintenance and repairs (19%) and home heating costs (19%) as key financial concerns.

Regional differences emerged in the findings. Residents of Atlantic Canada were more likely than those in other parts of the country to report electricity and home heating costs as significant financial burdens.

The survey also found that Canadians aged 25 to 34 were more likely than other age groups to cite mortgage or rent payments as a source of financial stress.

Income levels also influenced responses. Canadians with annual household incomes below C$60,000 were more likely to report grocery costs as affecting their finances but were less likely to identify gasoline prices as a major concern.

Only about one in 10 Canadians said none of the listed expenses had significantly affected their household finances, underscoring the broad reach of affordability pressures across the country, according to the survey.