In Canada, what are the things you can no longer afford?

Recently, netizens have been sharing their "stop-buying lists": from fruits, McDonald's, to steaks and olive oil... once daily necessities are being gradually removed. On the other side, a Chinese supermarket in Toronto has gone viral for its "shocking low prices"!

This is the true portrayal of Canadian life in 2025.

Source: 51 journalist's photo

The top 10 "stop-buying list" of Canadians is making waves:

Fruits and McDonald's are no longer affordable!

From supermarket shelves to gas stations, Canadians are feeling pressure on all fronts. In the face of skyrocketing prices, many families are forced to cut expenses. The recent survey launched by MTL Blog on Facebook, "What are the things in Canada that are now too expensive for you to stop buying?" clearly illustrates how inflation, interest rate hikes, and import tariffs are turning Canadians' once everyday expenses into "luxuries".

Source: MTL Blog

1. Tips

Most netizens agree that the tipping culture has completely spiraled out of control.

According to a survey by H&R Block, 82% of Canadians said tips have become excessive, noticing that more and more businesses, including self-service counters, are prompting for tips and service charges.

Quebec recently introduced new regulations, requiring restaurants, bars, and cafes to calculate suggested tips based on pre-tax prices starting May 7, 2025.

Source: 51 journalist's photo

2. Fruits

Grapes, strawberries, and blueberries are the most frequently mentioned fruits that people can no longer afford. Many people said the prices of these small-box packaged fruits have almost doubled over the past few years.

A netizen shared: "I saw a watermelon at Costco priced at $20, so I put it back directly."

3. Meats

Many people are reducing their meat consumption not because of health or moral reasons, but simply because they can't afford it. The common mindset now is "only buy discounted steaks." A popular comment reads: "The last time I had steak was the time before that."

4. Peanut Butter

Once a kitchen staple, it is now also being "removed from shopping carts." Some netizens said: "Peanut butter is now outrageously expensive, even Dollar Tree doesn't sell it anymore! What's going on with this world..."

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil was also mentioned by several netizens as having transformed from a daily necessity to a luxury item, no longer worth the price.

6. McDonald's

Fast food was once the "cheapest option," but now the prices at McDonald's have increased significantly.

A netizen wrote: "Now the McValue Meal costs $6 CAD, there's really nothing 'Value' about it."

Source: 51 journalist's photo

7. Gasoline

Although drivers still need to fill up, the pain of filling up the tank is increasing day by day. One netizen said:

"The gasoline price can inexplicably increase by 12 cents per liter in one day."

Source: 51 journalist's photo

8. Ice Hockey Tickets

Hockey holds a special place in Canada, but ticket prices have also skyrocketed.

In the past, watching an NHL game live was a regular family entertainment, but now it has become a "seasonal luxury", with some families unable to go even once a year.

According to an earlier report by Global News, the average cost of watching a Montreal Canadiens home game in 2022 was $196.79 CAD (and it's even higher now).

In addition, concert tickets were also mentioned by many netizens: "It's not just about whether it's 'expensive' or not, it's just unaffordable."

9. Houses

"Buying a house" has become an unreachable dream for many people.

Take Montreal as an example, the average price of a detached house has exceeded $600,000 CAD, and even apartments are nearing $400,000 CAD, while wage increases fall far behind housing prices.

Some netizens frankly said: "I've completely given up the idea of buying a house."

10. Monthly Bus Passes

Montreal netizens pointed out that from July 1, 2025, the price of Zone A monthly passes on STM will rise from $94 to $104.50. This has made many people switch to biking or walking instead of taking public transport.

Behind this "stop-buying list" of netizens lies the real-life portrayal of each ordinary Canadian household. When was the last time you put down a product because it was too expensive?

$10 buys a whole bag of fruits and vegetables:

Toronto's Chinese supermarket "shocking low prices" goes viral

However, amidst the rising prices of mainstream groceries, a Chinese supermarket in Toronto has gone viral on social media for its "shocking low prices".

Source: blogTO

Recently, a TikTok user @faithwone from Toronto shared that a well-known supermarket in Chinatown is such a place, and showcased her "god-level savings results" — she spent only $10.26 to take away a large bag of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Source: TikTok

In the video, she showed her haul:

Three packs of garlic: $2 CAD.

One giant carrot: $0.80 CAD.

One zucchini: $0.47 CAD.

Two boxes of cherry tomatoes: $1 CAD per box.

Two boxes of blackberries: $1 CAD per box.

A pack of corn (5 pieces): $1.99 CAD.

Small watermelon: $1 CAD.

All of these added up to only $10.26 CAD.

Source: TikTok

As soon as the video was released, the comment section exploded.

Many netizens thanked her for "sharing the good news" and were surprised by the stark contrast in prices between chain retailers.

"This is crazy, the prices of these brands of fruits and vegetables are three to five times higher at Loblaws than here."

"I'm crying tears of joy!"

"My god! $10 is insane, especially since I got so much fruit."

"I'm heading there right away! I love this place."

"I went yesterday! I spent $5 CAD to make a pot of chicken soup, all ingredients were complete. I also boiled some dumplings, enough for six people."

"I always find that Asian supermarkets offer better value and their produce is very fresh."

"We Niagara need one of these."

"You hit the jackpot! I wish we had a supermarket like this nearby."

But many netizens also worried that this supermarket would get too crowded:

"Don't tell anyone else!!! I'm afraid prices will go up if there are too many people."

"Don't bring attention to your favorite stores, otherwise the prices won't stay stable."

"Be cautious when sharing, otherwise prices might rise."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7505583869945561634/

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