Mar 19, 2026
Money continues to weigh heavily on Canadians’ minds, with financial concerns ranking as the top source of stress in people’s lives.
A new national survey suggests that while financial anxiety remains widespread, many Canadians are responding by taking more deliberate steps to manage their money, from budgeting and tracking expenses to paying down debt.
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“Canadians are feeling financial pressures that continue to cause them stress,” said Tashia Batstone, president and CEO of FP Canada, in a statement. “However, what the Financial Stress Index demonstrates, year after year, is that working with a professional financial planner can help Canadians manage that stress and move forward with greater clarity.”
Financial pressures still widespread
According to FP Canada’s 2026 Financial Stress Index, money remains the leading source of stress for Canadians, cited by 43% of respondents. That places financial concerns well ahead of other major stressors such as health (21%), relationships (17%) and work (15%).
Everyday expenses appear to be a major contributor to that stress.
The survey found 64% of Canadians identified grocery costs as the biggest financial pressure on household budgets. Housing costs are also becoming a growing concern, with 25% of respondents citing rising home prices as a source of stress, up from 20% in 2023.
While inflation worries remain significant, the share of Canadians who say inflation is a major concern has declined somewhat in recent years, falling to 55% in 2026 from 63% in 2023.
The findings suggest Canadians continue to feel financial strain even as inflation pressures begin to ease somewhat.
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Canadians taking action to manage financial stress
Despite these concerns, the survey indicates many Canadians are taking steps to improve their financial situation.
According to the report, 85% of Canadians say they are actively taking action to reduce financial stress, up from 82% last year.
Tracking spending remains the most common strategy. About 42% of respondents say they monitor their expenses closely, while 33% say they are paying down debt and 29% report creating a household budget.
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Saving has also become a growing priority. One-third of Canadians say they saved more over the past year, compared with 29% in the previous survey.
"Canadians are taking matters into their own hands, while juggling everyday expenses like groceries and huge purchases like a home," said Zena Amundsen, CFP, owner of Astra Financial Services in Regina, Sask, in the statement. "It's encouraging to see more Canadians choosing to save their hard-earned dollars.”
The report also shows that financial stress varies significantly depending on life stage.
Among Canadians aged 18 to 34, nearly half (47%) say saving for major purchases — such as buying a home — is a major source of financial stress. Job and income stability (38%) and investing (27%) also rank among the top concerns for younger adults.
For Canadians aged 35 to 54, day-to-day expenses and bill payments are the primary source of financial strain, cited by 48% of respondents, followed closely by concerns about saving for retirement (46%) and managing debt (39%).
Overall, the findings suggest that while financial stress remains widespread, Canadians are increasingly responding with practical steps aimed at improving their financial resilience.
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Steven Brennan is a freelance finance writer based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a BA and an MA from Maynooth University, Ireland. His work regularly appears at Canadian Mortgage Trends, Lowest Rates, Loans Canada and other Canadian and US brands, while also working as a ghostwriter for financial influencers.
