The results of a new poll suggest Canadians’ personal financial situations are improving from the worst lows of COVID-19, but remain fragile overall.
The study from the Angus Reid Institute found that 80 per cent of Canadians referred to their financial situation as “good” or great.”
That represents a gain of seven points from early April, at 73 per cent.
However, with one in five Canadians saying they are in “bad” or “terrible” shape, the overall situation remains fragile.
Angus Reid says individuals who are currently receiving employment insurance or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are particularly vulnerable.
Among that demographic, 30 per cent said they are “barely treading water.”
More broadly, 56 per cent of all respondents said that regardless of their personal situation, they were not considering major purchases like vehicles or homes within the next 12 months.
Two-thirds of Canadians (69 per cent) say they are spending less on non-essential items such as gifts and restaurant meals.
Three in ten Canadians continue to say they have lost work due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which is unchanged from May.
