More than half of young Canadians think the system is working against them.

Poll data shows that 54% of people aged 18 to 29 believe previous generations have rigged the system in their favour, making it harder for younger people to get ahead. Most also think politicians are more focused on protecting the interests of older generations than their own.

It’s not hard to see why.

Younger Canadians are being asked to absorb rising housing costs, growing public debt, and the long-term consequences of environmental decisions — all while public spending increasingly prioritizes retirees.

Budget choices reinforce this pattern. Spending on medical care and income supports for seniors are far larger and growing far faster than investments in priorities that matter for younger people. When governments grow support for older Canadians but fail to raise enough revenue to pay for it, other investments are crowded out and deficits spiral up.

These decisions don’t just shape finances. They also shape trust.

When hard work no longer guarantees stability, and when governments appear to protect one group more than another, it’s no surprise that younger people start to feel the system is stacked against them.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Restoring trust means restoring balance to make sure that our public policies promote wellbeing for all generations.

Source: Leger, Is The Future Bright?, June 2024