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Grocery costs climb as more Canadians seek debt help

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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 year.

Those who reached out carried an average of $35,000 in unsecured debt, up from $31,000 a year earlier.

CCS president and CEO Peta Wales said many households are still struggling despite inflation appearing stable.

“Even though inflation appears stable at 2.2 per cent, many Canadians are still feeling the pinch in their daily lives,” Wales said.

She added that rising grocery costs and holiday spending are leaving families with less flexibility to manage debt.

The organization says the early rise in demand is a warning sign for January, when counselling spikes typically.

CCS says last year saw a 51‑per‑cent jump in people seeking help from December to January.

Isaiah Chan, vice‑president of programs and services at CCS, said the trend is likely to continue.

“Historically, counselling demand spikes in January after the holiday bills arrive,” Chan said.

He added that the early rise in requests suggests financial strain could reach unprecedented levels heading into the new year.

CCS advises Canadians to take proactive measures for budget management, including prioritizing essential bills, cutting holiday spending, and steering clear of high-interest credit.

The organization also recommends planning affordable meals and seeking guidance before bills pile up in January.

More information is available online or by calling 1‑888‑527‑8999.

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Dryden Finishes 2019 In The Black

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The City of Dryden finished the 2019 fiscal year with a roughly $500,000 surplus.

The preliminary year end financial statement shows operating revenues at $29,746,449 and expenses at $29,238,092.

Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll says revenues were about 1% lower than expected and expenses were about 2.7% lower than projections.

Lansdell-Roll says they did have some vacant staffing positions that weren’t filled last year.

Final salary, wages and benefits came in at $13,105,508, $534,826 below expectations.

Lansdell-Roll says the capital program for last year called for roughly $313,000 in City funding and that was fully utilized.

He notes some projects weren’t completed because those were based on external funding sources that didn’t come to fruition.

Those include:

-Library Shelving
-Airport Sweeper
-Airport Wet Dry Material Spreader
-Rec Centre: Pool Roof Replacement
-Rec Centre: DWV Piping Replacement
-PW Sanitary Manhole Lining
-Fire Breathing Apparatus Cylinders

The General Reserve Fund for the City of Dryden stands at $4,500,689.

The 2019 financial statement shows an outstanding debt of roughly $13-million.

Lansdell-Roll says “The end of 2020, which is this year, our debt servicing costs are going to be at a much more manageable level than they have been in recent years. So the hope is that starting in 2021 we can address additional infrastructure needs.”

In 2021, the city’s long-term debt repayments drop to just over $1-million.

The year end finances still have to be audited.

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Survey: Debt Repayment A Priority

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A new CIBC poll finds debt repayment is the number one financial priority for Canadians in 2020.

For the tenth consecutive survey, debt has topped the list as a financial priority for Canadians for the new year.

Over 15 hundred Canadians were surveyed earlier this month, and 71 per-cent of respondents said they held back from borrowing in 2019.

The same amount are concerned about the rising costs of household goods next year, and around 55 per-cent are worried about a potential recession in 2020.

Paying down debt was the top priority, followed by keeping up with bills and just getting by.

13 per-cent of those who took part say that they planned to grow investments or wealth, while the remainder were saving for a vacation or retirement.

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City Releases Q2 Financial Update

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The City of Dryden remains on track towards financial recovery.

A second quarter report has been presented to Council outlining the current finances over a six month period ending June 30th.

A total of $15,005,407 was budgeted for the quarter, however actual revenues came in at $14,662,526.

Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll warns there are risks that revenues could be lower than anticipated at the end of the day due to land sale activity not occurring as planned, child care revenues going down because of lower enrolment and a drop in water and sewer usage.

However, expenses are also down, with the City budgeting $13,935,879, and the actual coming in at $12,547,485.

Salary, Wages and Benefit costs are $850,000 lower than anticipated.

Meantime, Dryden remains on a clear path in its debt recovery plan.

As of December 31st, 2018, the debt stood at $13.9-million, with debt servicing charges bringing the total to $16.4-million.

This year about $3.4-million of city revenue is budgeted to service the debt.

Lansdell-Roll says debt servicing is currently one of the main drivers restricting the amount that can be spent on capital and infrastructure projects.

He warns the limitations will continue until the end of 2020, at which time debt servicing costs will come down to roughly $1.1-million in 2021.