March 4, 2025 – Today, in The Hub, Pollara’s André Turcotte and Food Banks Canada’s Philippe Ozga write about Canada’s growing food insecurity crisis. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the crisis, Food Banks Canada partnered with Pollara Strategic Insights to conduct an in-depth examination of food insecurity across the country. The Food Banks Canada Quarterly Report serves as a key analytical tool in monitoring economic hardship and its impact on the financial, emotional, and psychological well-being of Canadians. The findings from the report are based on 1,500 online surveys conducted with adult Canadians every quarter. The study began in April 2024 and – drawing from a full year of data – the latest January 2025 report reveals a worsening situation that underscores the urgent need for intervention.
Turning first to the current financial and economic context, financial distress remains a major public concern, with over 40 percent of Canadians reporting that they feel worse off financially compared to the previous quarter (October 2024), marking an alarming 11-point increase. Additionally, 43 percent describe themselves as financially stressed, a 13-point surge since October 2024. These figures reflect a mounting sense of economic insecurity – before the impact of today’s tariff actions are felt. Younger generations are disproportionately affected with 56 percent of Gen Z and 53 percent of Millennials reporting significant financial strain. Regional disparities are also evident, with Alberta (53 percent) and the Prairie provinces (48 percent) exhibiting some of the highest levels of financial stress.
- And, many Canadians fear that their financial situation will deteriorate further. The report finds that 20 percent of Canadians believe they will need to take on additional debt if their circumstances do not improve. This concern is particularly acute among Millennials (33 percent), Gen Xers (24 percent), and visible minorities (25 percent), highlighting the widespread financial vulnerability across multiple demographic groups.
As food affordability remains a significant challenge, Canadians are increasingly forced to make difficult choices. A staggering 43 percent of people report purchasing food at a discount, a seven-point increase from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, 29 percent of Canadians report struggling to pay their bills, reflecting a sharp 10-point increase from October. The inability to purchase enough food to meet basic needs has also risen, with 23 percent of Canadians now reporting that they are unable to buy sufficient food, a seven-point increase. The consequences of food insecurity extend beyond emotional distress to long-term health risks. Poor diet quality, exacerbated by financial constraints, is a growing concern, with 31 percent of Canadians eating less healthy food due to affordability issues.
- Young adults and lower-income individuals are disproportionately affected, with 40 percent of Gen Z respondents and 46 percent of low-income individuals prioritizing affordability over nutrition. This trend is particularly concerning given the links between poor diet quality and increased risks of chronic disease, reduced energy levels, and deteriorating mental well-being.
Financial struggles are also disrupting other fundamental aspects of life. According to the report, 29 percent of Canadians struggle to pay their bills, with higher numbers among younger adults (37 percent), low-income earners (46 percent), visible minorities (42 percent), and those with only a high school education (36 percent). Furthermore, 23 percent report eating less overall due to financial constraints, a figure that rises to 38 percent among Gen Z respondents and 36 percent among low-income individuals. The emotional impact of these struggles—feelings of shame, helplessness, and anxiety—further compounds the stress of living under financial strain.
As Food Banks Canada’s latest HungerCount report shows, the struggles and pressures highlighted above are driving Canadians to turn to food banks in record numbers. The speed of this increase has been unimaginably fast. Many of the over 2 million people turning to food banks each month are doing so for the very first time. One in five are currently employed and still can’t make ends meet. A third of those served by food banks are children. And as this most recent study demonstrates, the number of people struggling increases with each passing month. As for the food banks at the front lines of this crisis, they are buckling under the strain. A third of food banks did not have enough food to satisfy the demand last year. Each new jolt to the economy adds to the strain on a system that was never meant to become the permanent spine of a country.
The Food Banks Canada Quarterly Report presents a sobering assessment of Canada’s escalating financial strain and a deepening need for intervention. Rising costs are not only making it harder for Canadians to afford essentials like food and bill payments but are also leading to deteriorating diet quality and heightened stress levels. These challenges are no longer confined to low-income households. Individuals and families across all income brackets are affected, including those who are fully employed, widening socioeconomic divides. The intersection of financial hardship, food insecurity, and emotional distress has escalated into a national crisis.
This is an excerpt from André and Philippe’s column. To read their full column, including their proposed policy solutions, visit The Hub. To read the Food Banks Canada Quarterly Report, visit the Food Banks Canada website.
