Waiting to exhale: Canadian consumer confidence trapped in neutral
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) telephone random survey of 1,084 respondents in Canada. This report is based on the four waves of tracking ending January 16th, 2026. The margin of error for a random survey of 1,084 Canadians is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The research was commissioned by the Bloomberg and was conducted by Nanos Research.
Consumer confidence stranded in neutral
https://nanos.co/consumer-confidence-stranded-in-neutral-bloomberg-nanos/#:~:text=Canadian%20consumer%20confidence%20remains%20almost%20perfectly%20neutral%20as%20we%20open%20up%202026%20with%20the%20environment%20neither%20encouraging%20positivity%20nor%20advancing%20negativity.
Consumer confidence mired in neutral. Ontarians and BC’ers negative.
Consumer confidence nationally remains mired in neutral. Of note, Ontarians have the most negative consumer confidence followed by British Columbians. Confidence in those two provinces is the most negative.
2025 closes out in a neutral consumer confidence posture
Canadian consumer confidence closes out the year in a neutral posture with a score near 50 on the 100-point diffusion index. Views related to the future strength of the Canadian economy and person finances remain net negative while perceptions on the future value of real estate remains net positive.
Oh no, the MAGA economy isn’t working for the MAGA crowd
Someone needs to tell Donald Trump that yelling a lie won’t make doubters believe it. In his defensive, Scrooge-like message from the White House last week, Shouty Claus railed about the awful economy he’d inherited and how hard it’s proving to mend. Nonetheless, he boomed in staccato until he grew breathless, the economy was doing great, it was on the...
Energy Advantage: Ontarians See Oil and Gas Revenues as Key to Jobs, Economy and Trade – Approval process nine time more likely to be seen as too slow rather than too fast.
Nanos conducted a representative non-probability online survey of 1000 Ontarians, 18 years of age or older, between December 10 and 12, 2025. The sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Ontario.
Canadians under 35 are more worried about paying next month’s housing costs and are more likely to report some form of difficulty with the rising cost of living than Canadians on average.
The research gauged the opinions among Canadians on their perceptions and concerns regarding economic conditions and housing affordability. Respondents were asked about their expectations for the next generation’s standard of living, with options ranging from higher to lower standards compared to today. Additionally, the survey gauged individuals’ worries about their ability to pay for housing in the near term and...
Consumer confidence in neutral territory but hits a two-month high on expectations improvement.
Although Canadian consumer confidence continues to be in negative territory, the trend is marginally improving over time largely driven by more positive views in the forward-looking Expectations Sub-indice.
For 67% of Canadians, the cost of living feels as bad as it ever has
I noticed a really interesting question asked recently by POLITICO in the United States about the cost of living. It cut through the noise by asking people something very simple: does the cost of living today feel worse than ever, merely bad, or not bad at all? Given how central affordability has been to politics in Canada, I decided to...
Cost top barrier to buying Canadian goods – Cost is an exceptional constraint for people under 35 years of age.
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,009 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between November 29th and December 2nd, 2025, as part of an omnibus survey.
Canada’s Nobel Moment and Budget 2026: Inspiring an Innovation Agenda
On November 4th, Budget 2025 shifted the Carney government’s policy priorities to economic growth and national defence in response to a rupture in Canada-US trade relations and new NATO commitments. Public finance with a focus on capital investment is the principal instrument of change. In line with this strategy, a closer look at Canada’s sagging productivity suggests the next budget...
Canadians most worried about grocery prices as they enter the holiday season.
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,009 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between November 29th and December 2nd, 2025, as part of an omnibus survey. The margin of error for this survey is ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Grocery prices remain top financial concern for Canadians: Nanos survey
As Canadians begin budgeting for the new year, grocery prices remain the top financial concern across the country, according to a new Nanos research survey conducted for CTV News. The survey highlights where Canadians are feeling the largest financial pinch as they head into the holiday season and the coming year.
Neutral consumer sentiment continues into holiday season
Canadian consumer sentiment continues in a neutral position with a score of 49.45 on the 100 point diffusion index that makes up the BNCCI. The forward looking Expectations Sub-Indice remains in negative territory but has been improving over the past four weeks.
Less than one in five Canadians believe the recent federal budget will improve or somewhat improve their personal finances.
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,009 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between November 29th and December 2nd, 2025, as part of an omnibus survey. The margin of error for this survey is ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Majority of Canadians expect interest rates to hold or decrease over the next year
The research gauged the opinions among Canadians on the Bank of Canada’s interest rate. Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,009 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between November 29th and December 2nd, 2025 as part of an omnibus survey. The margin of error for this survey is ±3....
Canada added 54,000 jobs in November, unemployment rate drops to 6.5%: StatCan
The labour market surprised economists again in November with a third straight month of job gains. Statistics Canada said Friday that the economy added 54,000 new positions last month compared with economists’ expectations for a small loss. The unemployment rate fell to 6.5 per cent in November, down from 6.9 per cent in October, marking a second consecutive monthly decline...
Food prices could increase in 2026, with meat leading the way, say Dalhousie researchers
Food prices in Canada could increase by four to six per cent next year, largely driven by pricier meat products, according to a forecast by researchers at Dalhousie University. Beef in particular is expected to get more expensive, potentially rising seven per cent, as cattle sizes shrink (those markets are susceptible to tariffs) and more ranchers leave the industry, said...
Consumer confidence neutral – Positive views on the future value of real estate hits a 7-month low (Bloomberg/Nanos)
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) telephone random survey of 1,084 respondents in Canada. This report is based on the four waves of tracking ending November 28th, 2025. The margin of error for a random survey of 1,084 Canadians is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The research was commissioned by the Bloomberg and was conducted by Nanos Research.
Economists warn surprise GDP growth in Q3 masks weakness in Canada's economy
Canada's economy posted surprisingly strong growth in the third quarter, but economists looking underneath the hood offered a series of caveats that suggest weaker results than the headline figures imply. Statistics Canada said Friday that real gross domestic product rose 2.6 per cent on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2025, marking a rebound from a contraction of...
Consumer confidence continues to sputter in neutral.
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) telephone random survey of 1,053 respondents in Canada. This report is based on the four waves of tracking ending November 21st, 2025. The margin of error for a random survey of 1,053 Canadians is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The research was commissioned by the Bloomberg and was conducted by Nanos Research.
Awaiting this week's verdict on a recession
Over the past few months, a single question has loomed over the economic landscape: Is Canada slipping into a recession? As the trade war bit deeper over the summer, the economy stalled. The unemployment rate climbed and economic growth repeatedly dipped into negative territory.
Consumer confidence remains in negative territory
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) telephone random survey of 1,060 respondents in Canada. This report is based on the four waves of tracking ending November 14th, 2025. The margin of error for a random survey of 1,060 Canadians is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The research was commissioned by the Bloomberg and was conducted by Nanos Research.
Inflation cools to 2.2% in October as gas, grocery prices fall
Cheaper prices at the gas pumps and grocery store helped bring down inflation in October, Statistics Canada said Monday. The annual rate of inflation cooled to 2.2 per cent in October – a tick higher than economists’ expectations but down from 2.4 per cent in September. Gas prices fell 4.8 per cent on a monthly basis in October as retailers...
Swedish manufacturer says 10,000 new jobs could soon come to Canada
The Swedish manufacturer of the Gripen fighter jet, SAAB, says 10,000 manufacturing and research jobs could land in Canada if Ottawa adds the aircraft to its military fleet. SAAB President and CEO Micael Johansson confirmed to CTV News during an interview at the company’s headquarters in Stockholm that he has talked to Ottawa about making Gripens on Canadian soil. He...
Consumer confidence continues to dive into negative territory. Positive views on the value of real estate declining.
Canadian consumer confidence continues to trend downward into negative territory with negative sentiments not hitting levels seen since this past May. Positive sentiment on the value of real estate is noticeably down in the past four weeks.
Canada adds surprise 67,000 jobs in October, unemployment rate drops to 6.9%
Statistics Canada says the economy added 67,000 jobs in October, blowing past economists’ labour market expectations for a second month in a row. Those job gains were concentrated in part-time work while the private sector saw employment grow for the first time since June.
Canadians under 55 are four times more likely to have skipped bills in order to afford groceries in the past year compared to those over 55 years of age
1 in 5 Canadians say they have skipped paying a bill to afford groceries in the past year. One in ten each rarely (nine percent) or sometimes (eight percent) skipped a bill to afford groceries while about five percent say they often skipped bills to afford groceries. Canadians aged 18 to 34 and 35 to 54 (18% each) are more...
Canadians See Economic Clouds Gathering But Still Hold Out Hope for Progress
As Mark Carney’s government prepares to release its first budget today, Canadians remain far more likely to believe the economy will get worse before it gets better. Yet despite this macro pessimism, many hold steady expectations for their own finances, revealing a cautious but resilient public mood. This survey was done in partnership with The Logic.
Consumer confidence lands in neutral territory.
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) telephone random survey of 1,060 respondents in Canada. This report is based on the four waves of tracking ending October 31st, 2025. The margin of error for a random survey of 1,060 Canadians is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The research was commissioned by the Bloomberg and was conducted by Nanos Research.
Can the federal budget reset Canada's economy?
Interest rates can only do so much. So, pressure now turns to the federal budget. By just about every measure, Canada’s economy is stuck in a ditch. Growth has sputtered. The unemployment rate is rising. In normal times, the remedy is clear. The Bank of Canada cuts interest rates and the federal government boosts spending to help businesses and households...
Bank of Canada lowers key interest rate to 2.25% in second straight cut
The Bank of Canada cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point today and is signaling it may be satisfied with where the policy rate stands amid ongoing U.S. trade uncertainty.
Consumer confidence remains soft, Canadians concerned over the future direction of the economy
Canadian consumer confidence continues remains fragile, hovering just below 50 on the 100-point consumer confidence index. Notably, Canadians are nearly four times more likely to believe the economy will be weaker over the next six months than those who believe it will be stronger.
Bank of Canada expected to cut key rate despite mixed inflation, jobs data
Most economists expect the Bank of Canada will look past strong jobs data and signs of stubbornness on the inflation front to deliver a second consecutive interest rate cut this week. BMO chief economist Doug Porter is among those expecting a second straight cut on Wednesday, but he admits recent economic data hasn't perfectly lined up with that call. "The...
Canadians feel like they’re just barely holding on. This is what means for our future
If you want to understand Canada in 2025, don’t look up, look down. Before focusing on ideals like purpose, self-expression or “living your best life,” most Canadians are doing something much more basic: trying to make ends meet and keep their families steady. For the past year at Abacus Data, we’ve described a national mood that moved from scarcity (”Is...
Inflation jumps to 2.4% in September thanks to gas, grocery costs
Inflation jumped higher in September, Statistics Canada said Tuesday, thanks largely to annual changes in gas prices and persistent pressure at the grocery store. Annual inflation accelerated to 2.4 per cent last month, the agency said. That’s a jump of half a percentage point from 1.9 per cent in August and a tick higher than economists’ expectations.
Consumer confidence hits five month low. (Bloomberg/Nanos)
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) telephone random survey of 1,021 respondents in Canada. This report is based on the four waves of tracking ending October 17th, 2025. The margin of error for a random survey of 1,021 Canadians is ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The research was commissioned by the Bloomberg and was conducted by Nanos Research.
IMF chief, former PBO Kevin Page say Ottawa has leeway to run steeper deficits
Canada's former parliamentary budget officer and the head of the International Monetary Fund are both arguing Ottawa has room to run steeper deficits in the upcoming federal budget, despite concerns raised by the current fiscal watchdog. Kevin Page, now president of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa, published a piece in Policy Magazine this...
IMF Chief Says Canada Has Fiscal Room to Boost Capital Spending
The head of the International Monetary Fund says Canada has the fiscal room to make productivity-boosting investments, and praised the federal government’s proposed changes to budget timing.
Canada’s Natural Advantage: A Path to Economic Prosperity and Climate Leadership
Every year, conversations about Canada’s economic future tend to circle around the same themes: innovation, technology, and global competitiveness. But in times defined by uncertainty – from economic instability and rising costs of living to political turbulence and technological disruption – many Canadians are turning to something more familiar as a source of strength: nature. Our latest research reveals a...
Housing costs worries ramp up among young Canadians – Almost one half of Canadians report cancelling a purchase or finding it difficult to pay for basic necessities.
Almost two in three Canadians believe the future generation will have a lower standard of living than Canadians have today (64%), which is a slight increase from the previous wave (59%) in May 2025. Canadians aged 18 to 34 (67%) are more likely than Canadians aged 55 and over (58%) to think that the next generation of Canadians will have...
Consumer confidence flat – Positive sentiment on future strength of the Canadian economy hits five month low.
Overall consumer confidence in Canada remains in a neutral posture as uncertainty on the Canada-US trade relationship continues. When asked if the Canadian economy will be stronger or weaker in the next six months only 16 percent are positive in sentiment, which is a five-month low.