From Scarcity to Precarity: The Changing Mindset of Canadians
For the past few years, Canadians have navigated a scarcity mindset, shaped by housing shortages, rising costs, strained healthcare, and job insecurity. This competition for essential resources fueled frustration, shifting views on immigration, climate change, and housing, driving many voters away from the Trudeau-led Liberals in search of relief.
Now, we see a new mindset emerging – one defined by uncertainty. The tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration yesterday only adds to that uncertainty.
Canadians are no longer just worried about affording or getting access to what they need today; they are increasingly unsure what the next few months (or years) will bring. Political instability, economic volatility, and external threats like Trump’s proposed tariffs and his musings about annexation have deepened financial, professional, and personal insecurity. Affordability, job security, and Canada’s global standing now feel unpredictable, making long-term planning seem risky, if not impossible for some.
This shift from scarcity to precarity is not just about limited resources but about whether key systems will remain reliable. Will housing become more affordable? Will healthcare be accessible when needed as Canada’s aging population puts further strain on an already precarious system? Will economic pressures make it harder to build a future, build wealth, and achieve dreams? These uncertainties are shaping career, family, and financial decisions as Canadians struggle to navigate what comes next.
Understanding what a precarity mindset looks like – how it is influencing public perception, decision-making, and long-term confidence – offers valuable insight into how Canadians are coping with an increasingly uncertain future.
Rising Costs and Delayed Life Plans
As financial pressures continue to mount, Canadians are growing increasingly uncertain about their ability to maintain stability in the months ahead. 68% are worried about affording basic needs over the next six months, with concerns particularly high among younger Canadians (81% of 18-29-year-olds), young families (78% with children under 12, 80% with children 12-17), and lower-income households (82% of those earning less than $35,000).
Nearly half (45%) of Canadians say they would struggle to cover their expenses for three months if their financial situation changed unexpectedly, a concern that is even greater for families with children 12-17 (52%) and those aged 30-44 (51%) and 45-59 (49%).
This financial strain is forcing many to put major life decisions on hold. 70% of Canadians say they are delaying key milestones such as buying a home, starting a family, or retiring, with 18-29-year-olds (77%) and parents with young children (76%) the most likely to be postponing their plans. But this hesitation is about more than affordability today – it reflects growing uncertainty about whether these milestones will ever feel within reach. As economic conditions remain unstable and long-term financial security feels increasingly out of reach, planning for the future has become far more difficult, particularly for young Canadians and families trying to build stability in an unpredictable environment.
Social Divisions and Competition for Resources
Beyond individual financial concerns, many Canadians acknowledge the presence of growing divisions in society as access to key resources becomes more strained. Just under half (46%) believe that competition for housing, healthcare, and jobs is creating tensions in their communities, particularly among younger Canadians, who feel this strain most acutely (49% of 18-29-year-olds, and 52% of 30-44-year-olds).
Precarity is reinforcing zero-sum thinking that we have seen grow over the past few years.
Similarly, 53% of Canadians believe the country’s core systems – housing, healthcare, and social support – are not fair or equitable for all Canadians. This concern is strongest among middle-aged Canadians (60% of those aged 45-59) and lower-income households (59-60% of households earning less than $50,000), who often feel they are being left behind. The question is no longer just about who has access to these resources today, it is about whether we will have reliable access to these systems (healthcare, housing, social services) in the future.
Environmental Concerns and Future Uncertainty
While our recent polling has revealed a decline in Canadians’ immediate concerns about climate change, it remains a source of uncertainty about the future. 69% of Canadians worry about its impact over the next five years, with younger Canadians (79%) and those with children under 12 (76%) expressing the greatest concern. While some believe Canada is taking adequate action, 36% feel not enough is being done to prepare for long-term risks relate to climate change.
Many are left wondering how climate-related disruptions – such as extreme weather, rising insurance costs, and potential food shortages – could affect their financial and personal security. The uncertainty is not just about the severity of these risks but about how well Canada is prepared to navigate them in the coming years.
Stress, Anxiety, and a Growing Sense of Uncertainty
Canadians are increasingly feeling the psychological impact of uncertainty, with 43% saying external factors – such as the economy, global politics, and government decisions – significantly shape their daily lives, making it harder to feel secure about the future.
Top stressors include:
- 80% worry about the country’s direction
- 79% feel anxious about Canada-U.S. relations
- 72% stress over housing affordability
- 71% are concerned about healthcare access
Younger Canadians are feeling the most pressure, with concerns centered on housing affordability, job instability, and financial security, making it difficult to plan for the future. Families with young children share similar anxieties, as they navigate rising costs and uncertainty about their children’s financial prospects. For those in their 30s and 40s, the challenge lies in balancing homeownership costs and long-term financial stability, while older Canadians are more focused on Canada’s relationship with the U.S. and its broader economic implications.
Looking ahead, 37% of Canadians cite affording food, housing, and utilities as their biggest concern, particularly lower-income (46%) and middle-aged Canadians (44%). Healthcare access (29%) is a growing issue, especially for those 60+ (47%), while 21% worry about housing costs and 23% of younger Canadians fear job instability.
For parents, raising children in an increasingly uncertain world weighs heavily, with 26% of those with kids under 12 and 22% with teens citing political, economic, and social instability as a major concern.
THE UPSHOT
Canada’s shift from a scarcity mindset to a precarity mindset reflects a growing uncertainty about the future. Concerns over housing, healthcare, and job security have long been pressing, but they are now magnified by political instability, economic unpredictability, and external pressures like U.S. trade threats. Canadians are no longer just worried about what they have today – they are questioning what they will have access to in the months (and years) ahead.
This uncertainty affects Canadians differently depending on their stage of life. Younger Canadians struggle with housing affordability, job security, and financial independence, making it difficult to plan for the future. Parents worry about raising children amid economic and social instability, which threatens financial security and future opportunities. Middle-aged Canadians face rising costs while juggling career and financial responsibilities, making long-term stability feel out of reach. Older Canadians are most concerned about Canada’s economic position, U.S. relations, and healthcare access, particularly as they approach retirement.
This growing instability has far-reaching implications for businesses, organizations, and political leaders. Consumer behaviour is shifting as financial caution delays major purchases, affecting industries from real estate to retail. Advocacy groups and policymakers will need to offer long-term solutions, addressing affordability, job security, and essential services, rather than relying on short-term fixes.
For political parties, this shift presents both risks and opportunities. Canadians want stability, security, and leadership that reassures them, not rhetoric that fuels division or fear. Policies that offer sustainable solutions – such as housing affordability, economic resilience, and healthcare access – will resonate more than reactionary measures. Trump’s tariff threats and global instability have put economic leadership at the forefront, and Canadians may look to leaders who can protect the country from external shocks while strengthening domestic stability. While fear-based messaging can mobilize voters, over-reliance on crisis narratives risks deepening public anxiety. Parties that recognize this uncertainty and offer a clear, pragmatic vision for stability will be best positioned to gain support.
As precarity continues to shape how Canadians view their future, make decisions, and engage with institutions, understanding this mindset will be critical in navigating the challenges ahead. The focus must shift beyond addressing today’s concerns – it must be about rebuilding stability and trust for the future.
METHODOLOGY
The survey was conducted with 3,000 Canadian adults from February 5 to 11, 2025. A random sample of panelists were invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. These partners are typically double opt-in survey panels, blended to manage out potential skews in the data from a single source.
The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 1.78%, 19 times out of 20.
The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Canada’s population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region.
This survey was paid for by Abacus Data.
Abacus Data follows the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements that can be found here: https://canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/standards/world at anticipating public behaviour and understanding the reasons behind it.
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