The affordability crisis across Canada is putting additional pressure on its more than eight million caregivers, many of whom are already at their limit, according to Caring in Canada 2026, the newest report by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE), a program of the Azrieli Foundation. As the cost-of-living increases across the country, a growing number of caregivers are unable to afford basic expenses, working more hours or using up their savings sooner than expected.
Drawing on responses from more than 2,600 unpaid caregivers and paid care providers across the country, Caring in Canada 2026 finds that caregivers – who underpin Canada’s health system, workforce participation, and economic resilience – are being pushed to their limits.
Key highlights include:
- 49% of caregivers face financial strain, with one in five spending more than $12,000 annually out of pocket.
- 58% are balancing paid work with care responsibilities, 36% of which had their productivity suffer, lost earnings or regularly struggle to find balance both work and care.
- 77% report negative impacts on their well-being, including stress, fatigue, and burnout.
The report said caregiving is a social challenge as much as it is an economic one, with direct implications for workforce participation, productivity, and long-term growth.
As Canada’s population ages and care needs grow more complex, pressure on caregivers continues to increase while supports fail to keep pace. One in four Canadians is currently a caregiver, and at least half will take on the role at some point in their lives, contributing an estimated $97 billion in unpaid labour each year, it said.
“Caregiving is the most human and personal work there is, and yet it’s mainly done in isolation. Through my own experience as a caregiver, I came to see how intimate moments of care are shaped by broader systems that often fall short. That realization inspired my leadership in creating CCCE to ensure caregivers in Canada are supported, seen and valued,” said Dr. Naomi Azrieli, Chair of the Azrieli Foundation.
Naomi Azrieli
One third of Canada’s workforce is a caregiver, meaning millions of workers are navigating competing demands between earning a living and providing essential care. Many are caught in a cycle of needing to earn more income to meet the financial demands of care (averaging $1,000/month), while also needing to reduce work hours to meet caregiving responsibilities, said the report.
“Caregiving without support is costing too many caregivers their long-term financial stability. More than 20% of caregivers report having to stop saving entirely, putting their long-term financial security at risk,” it said.
“The strain extends to the paid care workforce. More than three-quarters (76%) of care providers are considering leaving the profession, citing low wages and safety concerns, further destabilizing an already fragile system.
“Without meaningful government action, these pressures will continue to pull caregivers out of the workforce, reduce national productivity, and increase demand on public systems, creating long-term economic consequences across every sector.”
“It is becoming unaffordable to care for our loved ones. Our health and social systems depend on unpaid caregivers and underpaid care providers, but like the roads, bridges, and buildings we rely on every day, our governments need to invest in this critical infrastructure before it collapses,” said Liv Mendelsohn, Executive Director of CCCE.
The pressures faced by caregivers and care providers in Canada require urgent government action. The report outlines five pillars for action, aligned with CCCE’s National Caregiving Strategy:
Liv Mendelsohn
- Improve supports and services for caregivers
Expand access to mental health supports, respite care, and practical services that protect caregiver well-being. - Support caregivers in work and education
Enable workforce participation through flexible work arrangements, improved benefits, and employment protections. - Improve financial supports for care recipients
Simplify and expand access to tax credits and benefits so individuals receiving care–and the families supporting them–can access financial assistance more easily. - Build a sustainable care provider workforce
Address low wages, staffing shortages, and working conditions that are pushing care workers out of the profession. - Show national leadership and recognition
Advance a National Caregiving Strategy and position caregiving as a clear federal priority.
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Entrepreneur. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 and 2024 as one of the top business journalists in the world by PR News. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024, 2025 and 2026.
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