Pattie Lovett-Reid

Chief Financial Commentator, CTV

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With 40 days until the next federal election, Canadians will be asking the tough questions that affect their pocketbooks.

Macro issues will be key platform priorities as parties start to get their messaging out. The obvious will be addressed. How is our economy performing? Will the job market continue to flourish? Climate change and health care are also big issues Canadians care about.

But I have to wonder: When it comes down to the vote, will it get more personal?

No one wants to just make do, especially as the cost of living continues to climb. Money is personal and there’s little doubt Canadians feel financially stressed.

Over the past few years, report after report has highlighted that Canadians are struggling with high debt levels, affordable housing,  living paycheque-to-paycheque, and their retirement horizon. These are just some of the kitchen table conversations taking place right now.

As party leaders nail down their messaging, drilling down on specifics that will impact Canadians’ money, many will be looking at them to answer the question: “What’s in it for me?”

The more specific leaders can get on how families will be in a better position four years from now, the better chance they will have of securing the vote.