Poll: 44% of GTA Residents Experience Financial Stress and Poor Sleep.
June 09, 2026 – GTA, Ontario: The financial instability in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is becoming increasingly concerning as Ontario’s mortgage delinquency rate surged by 52% in the first quarter of 2026, with Brampton leading the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
According to the Financial Anxiety Index released today by United Way, 63% of respondents in the GTA reported feeling anxious about their financial situations, and 44% indicated that financial stress affects their sleep. This figure exceeds the national average of 40%, underscoring the significant number of people who are sleepless due to financial worries.
Further compounding these issues, 42% residents reported struggling with food insecurity, again higher than the national average of 38%. The poll, conducted by Léger in February and March 2026, sheds light on the difficult choices individuals are making, resulting in sleepless nights over bills, increased family stress, difficulties focusing at work, and issues accessing sufficient food. Dan Clement, president and CEO of United Way Centraide Canada, stated, “This is not a crisis on the horizon. It is happening now, in communities across the country.”
Summary of Results: Financial stress is pervasive across Canada, with Ontario showing higher levels of strain compared to Quebec, which has comparatively lower financial anxiety rates. Approximately 9 out of 10 Canadians experience financial anxiety to some degree.
Essential expenses are the primary source of stress, and there are significant concerns about savings as well. Food has emerged as the greatest concern, with 58% of Canadians identifying it as a major issue, followed by housing (50%), savings (49%), and energy costs (46%). These results align with reported spending increases over the past six months, particularly in food (61%), energy (51%), and housing (49%).
Financial stress adversely impacts daily well-being. Nearly 60% of Canadians feel anxious when thinking about their finances, while 40% struggle to sleep because of financial concerns. Additionally, 34% report that financial stress has made it more challenging to concentrate at work or school. These findings illustrate that financial pressure is affecting not just budgets but also mental health and daily functioning.
Although many Canadians are trying to adapt, they often do so by making compromises rather than finding solutions. Spending cuts are primarily focused on discretionary categories like leisure (35%), savings (26%), and clothing (24%). Moreover, many individuals have postponed important decisions or plans, including travel (46%), significant purchases (40%), and saving or investing for the future (37%).
Financial hardship is particularly concentrated among vulnerable households, and broader social indicators underscore the extent of financial strain nationwide. Individuals in poor financial situations report much higher levels of concern about essential needs: 79% about food, 74% about housing, and 72% about savings. Additionally, 38% of Canadians have experienced at least one form of food insecurity, while 22% report having personally experienced poverty.
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