New quarterly pulse check reveals inflation and affordability dominate how Canadians are approaching their portfolios
Affordability pressures and inflation fears have emerged as the dominant forces shaping how Canadians make investment decisions, according to new research from the Responsible Investment Association.
The RIA's inaugural Investor Pulse Check, the first instalment in a new research series tracking shifts in investor sentiment, surveyed 1,001 Canadian investors between May 1 and May 6, 2026.
Beyond the cost-of-living squeeze, respondents pointed to Canada's economic resilience and global geopolitical uncertainty as significant factors bearing on their decision-making. Corporate accountability and governance, energy and infrastructure development, and climate-related risks also featured prominently.
The investment landscape is evolving rapidly, shaped by economic pressures, geopolitical developments and changing investor expectations," said Patricia Fletcher, CEO of the Responsible Investment Association. "At a time when affordability pressures, economic uncertainty and geopolitical developments continue to influence investor behaviour, understanding how Canadians are navigating these issues is more important than ever."
The survey was conducted under the umbrella of the Responsible Investment Research Initiative and sits alongside the RIA's broader suite of annual studies. Where those flagship reports take a wider view of the responsible investment landscape, the Pulse Check is designed to surface near-term shifts in sentiment on a more regular basis.
The data also shed light on how Canadians relate to responsible investment terminology. Phrases such as responsible investing, sustainable investing and values-aligned investing all generated positive associations among respondents. However, the research found that interpretations of what responsible investing actually means vary considerably across the investor base, pointing to a persistent need for clearer communication and education from advisors and fund providers alike.
On the advisory relationship, the findings suggest investors are increasingly looking for conversations that go beyond returns. Respondents said they want advisors to engage on personal values and ESG considerations as part of broader financial planning discussions. In terms of practical support, investors identified examples of relevant investment options, explanations of risk and return trade-offs, and real-world case studies as the most useful resources available to them.
The Pulse Check carries a Bayesian credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5% and was conducted by Ipsos. Research partners supporting the initiative include Addenda Capital, Desjardins, Mackenzie Investments, National Bank Investments, RBC Global Asset Management and TD Asset Management.
