TORONTO - A new poll suggests that about half of working Canadians would be hard-pressed to meet their financial obligations if their paycheque was delayed for a week.

The survey released Wednesday by the Canadian Payroll Association found that 48 per cent of respondents said they rely on each payday to cover their bills, with 40 per cent admitting they spend an amount equal to all or more of their net pay each week.

A quarter of those polled also said they wouldn't be able to scrounge up $2,000 if an emergency situation happened within the next month.

The CPA said the survey highlights the growing number of Canadians who are living paycheque to paycheque, and unable to put away savings due to mounting debt and a weak economy.

Half of those polled said they are able to save five per cent or less from their earnings, with 39 per cent saying they're "overwhelmed" by their debt.

The most common type of debt cited by respondents was a mortgage (26 per cent), followed by credit-card debt (18 per cent), car loans (17 per cent) and a line of credit (16 per cent).