Like many Canadians in their 30s, this author considers himself fortunate. I have a stable career, a roof over my head, and a partner who has a successful career. But as we plan our wedding and think about the future –starting a family, buying a house, saving for retirement—conversations that should be exciting quickly turn into calculations. And they do not always add up.
That sense of quiet financial pressure is no longer limited to low-income households. It is now being felt across the middle class, and it is reshaping the country’s political and economic reality.
In 2023, the median after-tax income for Canadian families and individuals was $74,200. Yet, according to RBC, nearly half of Canadians say they can no longer maintain their standard of living. Half report spending all their income on essential expenses, and many are turning to emergency savings or retirement funds just to get by.
This isn’t about occasional hardship. It is about the rising cost of everything from groceries and rent to childcare and transportation. All of which are outpacing people’s ability to keep up. Chicken breast, once a midweek dinner staple, can feel like a luxury item. A decent one-bedroom apartment in most cities now costs more per month than the mortgage payments many of our parents made on family homes.
The political implications are clear. A recent poll by Abacus Data found that 59 percent of Canadians say affordability is their top issue, more than healthcare, the economy or housing. As federal parties prepare to return to the House of Commons in September, this should be a wake-up call. Canadians are not looking for slogans about economic stability. They want to know whether the system still works for them.
For many, the answer is no.
One of the most telling developments is the rise of the side hustle. According to Securian Canada, nearly one in four Canadians now participates in gig work. Of those, 57 percent rely on it to supplement their main income. The work ranges from tutoring and pet sitting to e-commerce and consulting. It is not about building a business—it is about staying afloat.
This isn’t just a trend. It is a reflection of an economy where even full-time work no longer guarantees security. Many of those in the gig economy are also juggling traditional jobs. They are working evenings, weekends and holidays, not for extra spending money, but to cover bills. And many are doing so without access to benefits, pensions or any real safety net.
This pressure is being compounded by global forces that are increasingly beyond Canadians’ control. The latest example is the renewed trade tension between Canada and the United States. With just days to go before U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened 35 percent tariff hike on certain Canadian exports, negotiations remain stalled. Officials in Ottawa have acknowledged that a deal may not be reached by the Aug. 1 deadline.
While only a narrow slice of Canadian exports is directly affected, the broader uncertainty adds to price volatility and economic anxiety. In a country that relies heavily on cross-border trade, even a limited disruption can ripple through supply chains, raise input costs for manufacturers, and eventually show up in the prices consumers pay for everyday goods.
This slow squeeze is fueling frustration, disillusionment and a sense of resignation. It also presents a challenge for political leaders in Ottawa. Targeted relief measures and tax credits may help on the margins, but they will not restore the belief that hard work leads to progress. That requires a broader, more ambitious strategy, one that addresses wage stagnation, housing supply, and the growing gap between costs and incomes.
It also means acknowledging that the economic anxieties Canadians are feeling are not overreactions. They are grounded in real numbers and everyday experiences. Whether it is a young couple debating whether to have children, a retiree watching grocery bills climb, or a new graduate taking on a second job to cover rent, the message is consistent: something fundamental has shifted.
Ottawa may not be able to fix every pressure point overnight. But it must show that it understands the scale of the problem. Because when even those who are doing well start to feel poor, the problem is not personal. It is structural. And it is time our politics caught up.
Daniel Perry is the Director of Federal Affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators, leading national advocacy and engagement efforts. With experience in consulting and roles at the Senate of Canada, Queen’s Park, and the Canadian Criminal Justice Association, Daniel has helped political leaders and clients across various sectors achieve their public policy goals. A frequent media contributor and seasoned campaigner, Daniel holds a Master of Political Management from Carleton University.
