The article explores the rising trend of Canadians perceiving their country as having extreme levels of inequality. The authors, Scott Schieman and his graduate students Jiarui Liang and Alexander Wilson, analyzed data from a survey conducted between 2019 and 2024, focusing on respondents’ experiences with cost of living, economic conditions, and perceptions of inequality.
Key findings include:
- Rising perceptions of extreme inequality: Between 2019 and 2023, the percentage of respondents who characterized Canada as having extreme levels of inequality increased significantly among all three major political groups (Conservative, Liberal, NDP). Conservative voters experienced the largest increase.
- Cost of living concerns: The majority of respondents reported a worsening cost of living experience between 2019 and 2024. This perception was particularly pronounced among Conservative voters, who saw their negativity about the economy intensify over time.
- Economic conditions: Respondents’ ratings of Canada’s economic conditions showed a significant decline in Liberal and NDP voters’ perceptions that the economy is "poor" between 2019 and 2024, while Conservative voters’ negative views deepened.
The authors argue that these trends are connected by the rising cost of living, which has left many Canadians feeling financially strained. This collective pessimism is likely to continue unless there are significant improvements in the cost of living and economic conditions.
Key takeaways:
- Rising perceptions of inequality are a widespread concern among Canadians from all three major political groups.
- The cost of living is a primary driver of this trend, with most respondents reporting worsening experiences between 2019 and 2024.
- Conservative voters exhibit the largest increase in negative views about the economy and inequality, while Liberal and NDP voters show significant increases in negativity as well.
Implications:
- Addressing the rising cost of living and economic concerns will be crucial to softening perceptions of inequality.
- The data suggest that Canadians from all political backgrounds are increasingly dissatisfied with their country’s economic conditions and social inequality.
The article concludes by emphasizing the need for policymakers to address these pressing issues and improve Canadians’ quality of life to mitigate rising pessimism and inequality concerns.
