Canadians are heading into the new year with tighter budgets as grocery prices rise and more people look for help managing their bills.
The Credit Counselling Society (CCS) said the financial strain is showing up earlier than usual, with more households reaching out before holiday statements arrive.
Canada’s Consumer Price Index rose 2.2 per cent in November compared with a year earlier, but grocery prices increased at more than double that pace.
Grocery costs were up 4.7 per cent, the largest jump since December 2023, according to CCS.
CCS said the pressure is already leading more people to seek guidance. The non‑profit reports an 11‑per‑cent increase in counselling requests in November 2025 compared with the same month last…