Economic stress, global conflict and climate related tragedies have defined 2025 and many Canadians don’t think 2026 will be much better.
With 2026 mere days away, only 35 per cent of Canadians believe that next year will be better than 2025, according to a recent Léger survey
Thirty-seven per cent believe that it will remain the same, about one-fifth think that 2026 will be worse.
When asked to pick words from a list that best describe 2025, 40 per cent of people chose “uncertain,” while 37 per cent said “turbulent” and 31 per cent said “exhausting.”
Winnipeggers CityNews spoke to agreed with the morose picture of the survery.
“Hopefully (2026) is going to be better,” said one Winnipegger. “2025 has not been good, especially, for people like me as a senior”
“A lot of us, including myself at our age, I’ve gotta find a job, I have to work and then if I make too much money, I have to pay the tax on it, so yeah, you’re condemned if you do and condemned if you don’t,” shared the senior.
Another Winnipegger expressed concerns about cost of living, and said, “(2025 was an) expensive year and I think that will carry on for 2026 as well so not looking forward to that but you gotta be optimistic. I’m looking forward to it. We’ll see.”
The poll also suggests that Canadians believe their mental health has improved since the pandemic years.
“Going into 2026, I hope to have a better year,” said another Winnipegger who said 2025 was terrible for them. “Positive thinking, no negativity, help others and hope to get it in return.”
