A new national survey has found financial anxiety continues to climb across Canada, with Ontario recording the highest level of financial stress in the country.
The 2026 Financial Anxiety Index, released by United Way Centraide Canada and conducted by Léger, found that 60% of Canadians say thinking about their finances makes them feel anxious, up 5% in the past six months. Nearly half say they could cover household expenses for only one month or less if they lost their main source of income, while 40% report losing sleep because of financial stress.
Ontario posted the country’s highest Financial Anxiety Index score at 45.1, with 63% of residents saying financial concerns make them anxious and 43% reporting they have lost sleep over money worries.
United Way Golden Horseshoe says the results reflect what its partner agencies are seeing across their communities, including us in Halton, where more people are turning to food banks, housing supports, mental health services, and other community programs.
According to the organization, more than 34,000 Halton residents are living below Canada’s official poverty line. In Hamilton, more than 1,300 people were identified as experiencing homelessness last year, while Niagara’s most recent Point-in-Time Count found more than 700 people experiencing homelessness.
United Way Golden Horseshoe President and CEO Brad Park says families who were once financially secure are increasingly relying on community services to make ends meet, adding that financial anxiety has become part of daily life for many households.
The survey also found community organizations are making a measurable difference. 40% of respondents who accessed community supports said the services improved their financial situation, while 36% reported reduced financial anxiety. Housing support programs were identified as particularly effective.
Last year, United Way Golden Horseshoe invested more than $18 million into communities across the region, supporting more than 440,000 people through 148 agencies delivering 235 programs and projects, including food security, homelessness prevention, financial literacy, and mental health initiatives.
United Way says the findings highlight the importance of continued investment in local services that help individuals and families move from crisis toward long-term stability.
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