Name: Canada’s cost of living crisis hitting shoppers hard during holidays
Uploaded: 2025-12-25T03:53:54.306Z
Duration: 1 min 48 s
Description: As many Canadians grapple with mounting financial pressure, political leaders stress social programs and tax cuts as evidence they’re trying to help. That said, even with inflation steadying, grocery prices in particular rose again substantially this year.

As many Canadians grapple with mounting financial pressure, political leaders stress social programs and tax cuts as evidence they’re trying to help. That said, even with inflation steadying, grocery prices in particular rose again substantially this year.

Toronto

Canadians are experiencing significant increases in the cost of living, particularly during the holiday shopping season, as grocery prices have risen by 4.7% compared to the previous year. This marks the largest increase in grocery prices in two years, despite the overall inflation rate remaining steady at 2.2% in November.

Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the financial strain on Canadians and outlined government initiatives such as expanded dental care, a permanent national school food program, and tax cuts. Experts warn that vulnerable populations are especially affected, with rising food costs leading to increased hospital visits and longer stays.

Canada’s cost of living crisis hitting shoppers hard during holidays

With last-minute Christmas shopping in full swing. We got some stuff for Christmas dinner. A harsh reality. Prices just keep going up and food is particularly costly. We find the shopping experience overall to be yeah very shockingly expensive. It doesn't matter if it's you know something for the holidays or just something every day. It seems everything is getting pretty pricey. According to Statistics Canada, although Canada's annual inflation rate held steady at 2.2% in November, grocery prices were up 4.7% compared to the same time last year. It's the largest increase in that category in two years. Absolutely recognize the pressure on Canadians. In an interview with CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the added strain and said the government is trying to find ways to tackle affordability. Child care, pharma care, dental care. 11 million Canadians are now eligible for dental care. National school food program being made permanent. All of those aspects and of course preserving the transfers to the provinces. Health and well-being, those are the sacrifices that are happening as we speak. This food insecurity expert says that reprieve can't come soon enough. For those who are most vulnerable, the effects of rising food prices is far too much and the consequences go beyond the dinner table. These people are struggling in ways that are significant. They are more likely right now to be turning up in an emergency department or to be in a hospital, to be admitted. Once they're admitted, they'll stay longer. Carney says Ottawa has made a series of additional adjustments like cutting taxes in hopes a new year brings new relief. Michelle Song, CBC News, Toronto.

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