MNP Consumer Debt Index

MNP Consumer Debt Index: Canadians experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists

Many Canadians are feeling the effects of ongoing economic uncertainty as conditions continue to evolve, reshaping household behaviours. Three in five (61%) say they are experiencing financial whiplash as shifting conditions repeatedly disrupt their financial plans, according to the latest MNP Consumer Debt Index. Nearly three-quarters (74%) say rising prices for essentials like food and gas are straining their finances. Almost three-quarters (73%) say they are cutting back on spending, and over four in five (84%) are more cautious about taking on new debt as ongoing cost pressures and uncertainty drive conservative financial decision-making.

These pressures are also shaping how Canadians view their financial progress and future plans. Three in five (64%) say they feel they are working harder financially but not getting ahead. Seven in 10 (69%) say they are delaying major financial decisions because of unpredictable conditions.

Details behind MNP’s Consumer Debt Index, along with media coverage and our provincial and national news releases can be found below. To view data from previous releases of the MNP Consumer Debt Index, visit our Historical Data page.

Debt index results April 2026

• National: Canadians experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• B.C.: British Columbians navigating financial whiplash as economic conditions continue to shift
• Ontario: Nearly seven in 10 Ontarians report financial whiplash, the highest proportion among all provinces, as economic uncertainty persists
• Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan and Manitoba residents experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• Alberta: Albertans experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• Nova Scotia: Nova Scotians experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• New Brunswick: New Brunswickers experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• Newfoundland: Newfoundland and Labradorians experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Islanders experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• Manitoba: Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents experiencing financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists
• Quebec: Quebecers experience financial whiplash as economic uncertainty persists

Download the MNP Consumer Debt Index infographic.

About MNP LTD

MNP LTD, a division of the national accounting firm MNP LLP, is the largest insolvency practice in Canada. For more than 50 years, our experienced team of Licensed Insolvency Trustees and advisors have been working with individuals to help them recover from times of financial distress and regain control of their finances. With more than 240 offices from coast to coast, MNP helps thousands of Canadians each year who are struggling with an overwhelming amount of debt. Visit MNPdebt.ca to contact a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or use our free Do-it-Yourself (DIY) debt assessment tools. For regular, bite-sized insights about debt and personal finances, subscribe to the MNP 3-Minute Debt Break Podcast.

About the MNP Consumer Debt Index

The MNP Consumer Debt Index measures Canadians’ attitudes toward their consumer debt and gauges their ability to pay their bills, endure unexpected expenses, and absorb interest-rate fluctuations without approaching insolvency. Conducted by Ipsos and updated quarterly, the Index is an industry-leading barometer of financial pressure or relief among Canadians.

Now in its thirty-sixth wave, the Index remains at 87 points, unchanged from last quarter. Visit MNPdebt.ca/CDI to learn more.

The data was compiled by Ipsos on behalf of MNP LTD between March 10 and March 11, 2026. For this survey, a sample of 2,000 Canadians aged 18 years and over was interviewed. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ±2.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadian adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to, coverage error and measurement error.