Canadians are feeling the pinch as inflation, rising interest rates, and new tariffs on imported goods continue to drive up prices. Many are making tough choices about what to cut from their budgets, and recent responses to a Facebook poll reveal some surprising examples of everyday expenses that have become too pricey.
Tipping, once considered a standard practice, has become a contentious issue, with 82% of Canadians feeling it’s gone too far. New rules in Quebec aim to address the problem, requiring restaurants and bars to calculate suggested tip percentages based on pre-tax totals.
Hockey tickets are another luxury that many families can no longer afford. The average cost of attending a Montreal Canadiens game has risen significantly over the past few years, making live games a once-a-season treat.
Fresh fruit has also become an expensive staple for many Canadians. Small containers have nearly doubled in price, and some people pointed out high prices at Costco, like $20 for a watermelon.
Homeownership itself is becoming unaffordable for many, with the average price of a single-family home in Montreal exceeding $600,000. Salaries are not keeping pace, leaving some people to give up on buying a house altogether.
Meat consumption has also taken a hit due to rising prices, particularly steak. Some readers have cut back to only purchasing it when it’s on sale.
Gas prices continue to fluctuate throughout the day, causing frustration for many drivers. The price of peanut butter has also become too expensive for some shoppers, with one reader calling out its removal from Dollarama stores.
Fast food, including McDonald’s, is no longer a cheap option, and portion sizes have remained unchanged while prices rise. Olive oil, once a kitchen staple, is now seen as a splurge item due to high prices.
The STM pass price increase has also sparked concern among Montrealers, with some considering ditching their OPUS cards altogether.
Source: https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-grocery-items-too-expensive