Canadians facing financial pressure due to the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic are also reporting high family stress levels, and heightened concerns about the risk of civil strife.
According to a new study from Statistics Canada, with millions of Canadians thrown out of work due to the pandemic, about 17% of working age Canadians report that their ability to pay their bills has been significantly affected.
This widespread financial stress is being compounded by household tensions and worries about civil unrest, StatsCan reported.
The study found that almost half (48%) of people facing financial challenges also report “high” or “very high” concern about family tension due to confinement requirements.
By comparison, only 21% of those who aren’t under financial stress report similar concerns.
Additionally, StatsCan reported that a majority (61%) of Canadians who are facing major financial challenges have “high” or “very high” levels of concerns about possible civil disorder.
Again, these concerns are much less prevalent among those who aren’t facing financial challenges. Less than one-third (32%) of these people are similarly worried about social unrest.
The results are based on data collected in a survey of 4,600 respondents, from March 29 to April 3.