Nearly half of Quebecers report severe financial anxiety
A new survey shows 48% experiencing serious money stress as food insecurity jumps sharply and households struggle with basic costs.
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Nearly half of Quebec residents are in serious financial distress, according to a survey from Centraide of Greater Montreal and polling firm Léger released Tuesday. Forty-eight percent report significant financial anxiety, and 86 percent say they feel some level of financial strain.
The deterioration is sharp. One in four residents say their finances worsened over the past six months. Forty-five percent have less than a month's buffer for unexpected expenses. Food insecurity has climbed to 30 percent — up from 22 percent a year earlier — making it one of the fastest-rising concerns alongside housing and childcare costs.
The stress is not evenly distributed. Single-parent households, renters, and people with lower financial literacy face nearly double the anxiety of others. Parents generally report higher pressure and are more likely to delay essential spending.
Sixty percent of respondents said they're worried about Quebec's economic outlook. Researchers warn the ongoing cost-of-living squeeze is affecting not only household finances but mental health and quality of life across the province.