Canadian consumer confidence falls below neutral for first time since spring
The data suggests that while Canadians are not panicking about their own balance sheets, anxiety about the broader economy and where the housing market is heading is weighing heavily on forward sentiment.
That split between pocketbook confidence and forward-looking expectations has become a recurring pattern through 2026, with Canadians growing less certain about where the housing market is heading.
For brokers navigating the autumn selling season, the Expectations Index reading is the more telling number. Clients who feel secure in their employment may still delay purchases when confidence in future property values weakens.
The latest data from the BNCCI points to a buyer pool that remains hesitant despite relatively stable personal finances, an environment that calls for careful client communication on the outlook for housing affordability and mortgage market conditions across Canada.
New data from Statistics Canada and CMHC found that 26.1% of mortgage holders were living in unaffordable housing in 2024, while a growing share reported financial difficulties linked to higher mortgage payments and housing costs.https://t.co/gGBQa1oHU6
— Canadian Mortgage Professional Magazine (@CMPmagazine) September 21, 2026
Regional and demographic variation
The national reading conceals meaningful variation across the country. Quebec posted the strongest confidence at 52.38, while British Columbia registered the lowest at 46.36, below the national reading and well off its 12-month high of 52.01.
