A new Financial Anxiety Index poll from United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) shows two thirds of people in Ontario (63%) feel anxious about their finances—up 6% from last year’s survey, also conducted by Léger.
In East Ontario, a staggering 47% of residents are experiencing at least one concrete sign of financial hardship, such as being unable to put food on the table. This is significantly higher than the provincial average of 41% and the national average of 38%. More specifically, in Ottawa, 47% report having a financial buffer of one month or less to cover basic expenses—that’s up from 42% last year.
This reality leaves nearly half of the people in our communities highly vulnerable to sudden, unexpected inflationary shifts or income disruptions. It also leads to long-term financial stability feeling out of reach for many people navigating our local economy.
Financial stress is spreading beyond low-income households
More than half (53%) of Canadians now describe their financial situation as “okay” or worse, meaning that they can manage expenses but nothing more or are already struggling outright. Almost one third of people say their financial situation has worsened over the past six months.
When people struggle to make ends meet, it affects far more than their budget. Financial instability takes a real toll on health, housing stability, workforce participation, learning and overall community well-being.
According to the index, financial stress is taking a measurable toll on people’s health and daily functioning:
- 40% report difficulty sleeping
- 38% of Canadians struggle with food insecurity
- 34% are experiencing difficulty concentrating at work or school
Single parents (58%) and newcomers (54%) are more likely to be unable to cover basic expenses without going into debt after one month if they lose their main source of income. Along with younger adults aged 18–34, these people face significantly higher anxiety levels, according to the survey.
"This data paints the picture of the challenges people in our communities are facing right now. The reality is, parents are lying awake at night worrying about bills, youth are struggling to focus on school or work because they’re hungry, and families are forced to make difficult choices just to get by. At United Way, we are bringing people and resources together to tackle these complex problems. Our goal is to not only address the urgent needs of today, but help build healthier, more resilient communities for tomorrow.”
Community solutions at work
Today’s survey data highlights the critical importance of a strong community safety net and shows that when Canadians do use the supports, they deliver real relief:
- 40% of Canadians who accessed community organization support reported a positive impact on their financial situation
- 36% said it helped them manage their financial anxiety
- 76% of those who accessed community housing assistance found it helpful, underscoring the stabilizing power of targeted, on-the-ground support
“No one should have to choose between food, housing and their mental well-being. United Way Centraides are stepping up in their communities, and we know these supports make a real difference. But the data is clear: financial hardship is deepening, and it’s happening faster than many people realize. We need action now, because the cost of waiting is simply too high.”
Each year, the UWCC network mobilizes over $600 million for vital programs, from housing assistance and poverty reduction to long-term financial literacy, which directly benefit more than 8 million people across the country, building resilience and easing the burden of financial anxiety in our communities. In addition, our United Way brings people and organizations together—including government and other partners—to meet immediate community needs and tackle these complex social issues at the root.
UWCC is also a founding partner of 211, a free, confidential, 24/7 service that connects people to community, social, health, and government services. The service provides real-time community data to reveal the growing challenges many are facing across the country.
Your donation helps us break down barriers and create access to vital resources for people dealing with the many effects of financial anxiety.
