When Does Consumer Debt Become A Consumer Crisis?

""

As unemployment continues to grip many Canadians largely due to struggling crude oil prices, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise to learn many have found themselves relying on credit to make it from one financial obligation to next. What you may not know however, is just how significant that credit reliance has become. In fact, over half of Canadians are concerned about their debt and are currently living within just $200 a month of not being able to pay their bills. That means millions of Canadians on the verge of financial distress, which is a potential crisis, we simply cannot afford.

These statistics are based on the MNP Consumer Debt Sentiment Survey, which was conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of MNP. This article by Yahoo!Finance was originally posted online at Yahoo!Finance on September 28, 2016.

Latest Blog Posts

2025-04-14

Three quarters of New Brunswickers have cut spending or postponed major purchases

Tara Silliker

MNP Consumer Debt Index

Three-quarters (76%) say they have cut back on spending due to economic uncertainty — more than those in any other province.

Read More

2025-04-14

Nearly three-quarters of Quebecers have cut spending or postponed major purchases as they take steps to safeguard their finances amid economic uncertainty

Frederic Lachance

MNP Consumer Debt Index

Nearly three-quarters (73%) say they have cut back on spending due to economic uncertainty, and nearly as many (70%) say they are delaying major purchases or investments, according to the latest MNP Consumer Debt Index.

Read More

2025-04-14

Nearly three-quarters of British Columbians have cut spending or postponed major purchases as they take steps to safeguard their finances amid economic uncertainty

Linda Paul

MNP Consumer Debt Index

Nearly three-quarters say they have cut back on spending (74%) and are delaying major purchases or investments (75%), according to the latest MNP Consumer Debt Index.

Read More

Consultation icon