Canadian Consumers Feel Better About Finances, but Inflation Expectations Rise, Bank of Canada Survey Finds

12:20 PM EDT, 10/19/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Canadian consumers felt more confident about their financial situation in the third quarter, but inflation expectations increased and spending intentions softened, according to the Bank of Canada's Survey of Consumer Expectations (CSCE). Higher financial asset values and increased confidence in the labor market boosted households' financial outlook, although perceptions of employment conditions improved only modestly and remained below the survey average, the BoC wrote in Monday's third-quarter CSCE release. Inflation expectations increased across all timeframes, as long-term expectations rose to converge with elevated short-term readings, said Canada's central bank. Consumers continued to point to energy costs and trade tensions as major inflation risks, with concerns intensifying after Canada-US negotiations broke down on Aug. 21. However, about three-quarters of responses were collected before the talks collapsed and Canada announced new counter-tariffs. The survey was conducted from Aug. 5 to 27.