There’s a new viral trend on popular social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube where Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet vent their frustrations about the cost of living.
Canadians from all walks of life are raising the alarm with one common message – how Canada feels broken.
Whether it’s affording to pay bills on time, high cost of rent and gas or grocery prices, people are looking for answers.
True North has compiled some of the most widely shared content about Canada’s cost of living crisis.
Young woman says Canada is “going downhill”
A TikTok video by user heyitstaystew exploded after she filmed herself venting about how expensive gas and the price of real estate is in Canada.
“I gotta be honest, Canada is so disappointing now. It’s a completely different place,” she said.
“I’ve made a lot of observations of just how it continues to keep going downhill.”
Mother says she can’t afford to keep gas in her car while earning $34 per hour
Mother Melanie Ann posted a gut-wrenching video where she explains how she can no longer afford to keep gas in her car and has to eat peanut butter sandwiches all week despite earning $34 per hour at her job.
“I can’t function anymore financially. I don’t understand how I make $34 an hour and I can’t function. I can’t pay my bills. I can’t even literally keep gas in my car to get to work 3 days a week because I can’t afford it,” she explains.
“I get paid and it goes to (my) car, mortgage, a couple little bills and then maybe $80 in food for the week.”
Canadian back from vacation shocked at how crime-ridden and dirty Toronto is
Canadian TikTok user truttheboi went on a six month vacation to Europe and Mexico and upon returning was shocked to see the state of Toronto when compared to other international cities.
“The cost of living is actually insane and I came back and I won’t lie things look a bit different like maybe it’s just the contrast but again cities in Eastern Europe were just like a lot cleaner. I came back here and things looked a lot dirtier in downtown Toronto,” he said.
“Things are a lot less safe. In Eastern, Central Europe I did not see a single petty crime and no joke the moment I came back to Toronto I went to a Shoppers Drug Mart and somebody got caught shoplifting, there were shootings that weekend.”
Ontario resident considers leaving Canada
24-year-old Ontario resident Carolina posted on TikTok her frustrations about not being able to afford living in Canada and considering moving out of the country to get ahead.
“I need someone to tell me the pros and cons of living in America because at this point living in Canada ain’t it,” she said.
“The cost of living, it’s too much. The wages are staying the same. I can’t afford to move out.”
