Survey finds financial worry eroding confidence, job security and focus at work
More than half of Canadian adults have put off significant milestones such as purchasing a home, relocating or switching careers, pointing to persistent unease about jobs and the broader economy as reasons for holding back.
New polling shows 56.6% of Canadians have shelved a major life decision because of employment or economic worries, while a similar share, 56.1%, say their outlook on their financial future has weakened compared with a year ago. The data was gathered by Harris & Partners.
The results land as the country works through a rocky economic stretch, having slipped into what a number of economists label a technical recession after GDP contracted on an annualised basis for two straight quarters. Some recent figures point to a rebound, yet lingering questions around trade policy, investment activity and hiring continue to dampen how confident consumers feel.
Workplace and career impact
Beyond delayed milestones, the survey of 2,255 Canadians found financial stress is bleeding into daily working life. More than half, 54.8%, said money worries make it hard to stay focused on the job, and 43.0% reported picking up overtime, a second job or extra work to keep pace with the climbing cost of living.
Career caution shows up elsewhere too: 38.4% said economic unease has kept them from pursuing a new role or switching employers, while 37.0% said they now feel less secure in their current position than they used to.
The unease persists even though Canada posted GDP growth in April that beat forecasts, following the contraction recorded earlier in the year. Businesses, however, remain cautious given ongoing friction over trade and a murky economic backdrop.
Joshua Harris, chief executive of Harris & Partners, said the pattern of stalled decision-making signals that broader economic pressures are now shaping everyday choices rather than staying confined to the news cycle.
“Buying a home, relocating or changing careers are significant milestones, but when people feel uncertain about their finances or job security, it's understandable that many choose to wait,” he said. "While delaying these decisions can feel like the safest option, it can also have long-term consequences. Putting off career moves, home ownership or other important milestones may mean missing opportunities that are difficult to recover later.
