Canadians Continue to Feel Cautious About the Economy
The latest wave of our Economic Confidence survey points to a familiar but important tension: Canadians are not seeing a sharp new deterioration in the economy, but they are not seeing a meaningful rebound. . .
The latest wave of our Economic Confidence survey points to a familiar but important tension: Canadians are not seeing a sharp new deterioration in the economy, but they are not seeing a meaningful rebound either. Instead, the country appears to be in a holding pattern. Confidence may be stabilizing after a difficult period, but everyday pressures continue to shape how Canadians think about their finances, their spending, and the months ahead. This cautious sentiment is being shaped by several familiar concerns, including inflation, housing affordability, and rising gas prices. For broader context on inflation and economic indicators, see theBank of Canada’s inflation dashboard. For more on our economic confidence tracking, read our previous update oneconomic confidence in January 2026. While national sentiment appears to be stabilizing, the regional reports show that the pressures behind that caution are not the same everywhere. Economic confidence, fuel prices, and housing perceptions vary meaningfully by province, highlighting how differently Canadians are experiencing the current economy. InBritish Columbia, confidence remains in negative territory, and the housing market appears especially mixed. British Columbians are evenly split on recent home prices: 35% believe prices have increased, while 35% are reporting decreases. Read the British Columbia report. InAlberta, the provincial outlook has weakened more clearly than in other regions. Fuel prices are also weighing heavily on residents, with 75% of Albertans indicating rising gas and diesel prices are negatively affecting their personal finances. Read the Alberta report. InManitoba, household finances remain relatively stable, but housing pressures stand out. Nearly three-quarters of Manitobans (72%) believe home prices in their area have increased. Read the Manitoba report. InOntario, the pressure is both practical and personal: 74% of Ontarians tell us higher gas and diesel prices are affecting their finances, and as a result 40% are reducing how much they go out socially and instead staying home more. Read the Ontario report. This Leger survey was conducted online among2,620 Canadians aged 18 and olderfromJune 5 to 8, 2026, usingLeger’s LEO panel. The data was statistically weighted according to Canadian Census figures. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey, but for comparison purposes, a probability sample of 2,620 respondents would have a margin of error of±1. 9%, 19 times out of 20.