Canada Faces Cost of Living Crisis Ahead of Mark Carney's Budget Reveal

As Canada prepares to unveil its 2025 federal budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canadians are primarily concerned with the rising cost of living, particularly food and housing affordability. Experts and groups like Dalhousie University food economists and Restaurants Canada emphasize the need for government action to reduce living costs, including removing interprovincial trade barriers and eliminating GST on food to help families save money and stimulate job growth. Public opinion polls reveal that Canadians are exhausted and wary, favoring gradual deficit reduction and modest spending adjustments rather than drastic austerity measures, with a preference for taxing the wealthy over average families. The Liberal government faces challenges in passing the budget amid economic pressures from a trade war with the U.S., with opposition parties skeptical about the proposed fiscal strategies. Despite the government's plans to increase spending and deficits to counter economic threats, many Canadians doubt the government's ability to sufficiently address their immediate cost-of-living concerns, fueling anxiety about the country's economic direction. Overall, the national mood is cautious and watchful, with a strong desire for calm, controlled fiscal management rather than bold or risky changes.