Canadians Financially Stretched Thin, Forced to Make Tough Choices Amid Soaring Costs
• Many Canadians say they are barely getting by financially, working multiple jobs just to afford basic necessities like rent, food, and gas. Some are depleted retirement savings already or have had to sell assets.
• Seniors and retirees shared stories of having to go back to work or being unable to retire as planned due to rising costs of living outpacing pensions and savings.
• Single parents and those supporting families discussed the immense stress of juggling multiple jobs while still falling behind on regular bills. Several felt trapped without hope.
• A teacher described the reality of working a full-time job in the classroom while also working a second unpaid part-time job at home lesson planning and grading at nights and weekends.
• A college student working 3-4 jobs can barely afford rent and has no savings, forcing her to move back home and put mental health at risk to complete an unpaid internship for school credit.