Key Takeaways
- Canadians are feeling generally hopeful about 2026, but are pessimistic about the resolution of pressing issues at home and abroad.
- The majority of Canadians (62%) are feeling optimistic about the new year, despite concerns about their financial situation, job security, and access to public healthcare.
- Canadians are worried about a future recession, with 70% fearing it will happen, and are concerned about their ability to purchase a home, afford groceries, and access better public healthcare.
- The poll suggests that Canadians have confidence in Prime Minister Mark Carney, with a job approval rating of 55%, which may be contributing to their cautious optimism.
- The Ipsos poll surveyed 1,502 Canadians aged 18 and over, and the results are accurate to within ± 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Introduction to the Poll Results
Canadians are feeling generally hopeful about the upcoming year, but are pessimistic about the specifics of whether pressing issues at home and abroad will be resolved, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos. The poll, which surveyed 1,502 Canadians aged 18 and over, found that while Canadians are feeling positive about their personal health and happiness, they are less optimistic about their financial situation and their social and romantic lives compared to 2022. This sense of cautious optimism is reflected in the fact that less than half of those surveyed said they felt 2025 was a better year than they expected, while even fewer said they were able to save enough money over the previous 12 months.
Pessimism About the Future
Despite the overall sense of hopefulness, Canadians are worried about the future, with 70% fearing a recession, although this number is four points lower than it was three years prior. Additionally, 41% of Canadians said that 2025 made them more fearful about their job security, which is 11 points higher than in 2022. These concerns are likely contributing to the pessimism about the resolution of pressing issues, including the trade war between Canada and the US, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Furthermore, Canadians are also worried about their ability to purchase a home, with only 29% believing they will be able to do so, and only 22% thinking that groceries will become more affordable.
Personal Health and Happiness
The poll found that 75% of Canadians feel very or somewhat good about their health, which is the same share as three years ago. Additionally, 72% of Canadians feel positive about their own personal happiness, although this number is down five points from 2022. However, Canadians are less optimistic about their financial situation, with just under 60% saying they feel good about it, and their romantic and sex lives, with only 56% feeling positive. The only area where Canadians are more optimistic is their social life, with 67% saying they feel good about it, up from 66% in 2022. This suggests that while Canadians are generally feeling positive about their personal health and happiness, they are struggling with other aspects of their lives.
Optimism About the New Year
Despite the pessimism about the future, 62% of Canadians are feeling generally optimistic about 2026. According to Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, this optimism may be more hope than a true expectation that things will get better. Bricker suggests that Canadians are hoping that 2026 will be a better year because things "can’t get much worse" after a difficult few years, including the pandemic. This sense of hope is reflected in the fact that 59% of Canadians are optimistic that their financial situation will improve in the new year. However, this optimism is tempered by concerns about the ability of the government to address pressing issues, and the potential for a recession.
Confidence in Leadership
The poll suggests that Canadians have confidence in Prime Minister Mark Carney, with a job approval rating of 55%, which is 15 points higher than his Liberal Party in general. Bricker notes that Canadians see Carney as the best person to manage the challenges facing the country, which may be contributing to their cautious optimism. However, Bricker also notes that Carney will have his hands full with the many issues facing the country in 2026, and that it remains to be seen whether he will be able to meet the challenges ahead. This confidence in leadership is reflected in the fact that Canadians are more optimistic about their national leadership, with 55% approving of Carney’s job performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ipsos poll suggests that Canadians are feeling generally hopeful about 2026, but are pessimistic about the resolution of pressing issues at home and abroad. While Canadians are feeling positive about their personal health and happiness, they are less optimistic about their financial situation and their social and romantic lives. The poll also suggests that Canadians have confidence in Prime Minister Mark Carney, which may be contributing to their cautious optimism. However, it remains to be seen whether this optimism will be borne out in the coming year, and whether the government will be able to address the many challenges facing the country. As Bricker notes, 2026 could be a "consequential year" for Canada, and it will be important to watch how the country navigates the challenges ahead.
