“I worked eight and a half hours today even though I knew that wouldn’t be enough. That’s what Stephanie Finlayson of Woodstock, Ont., said through tears in a video that went viral on TikTok.
Her monthly salary is $2,710 and her fixed bills are $2,701, leaving her with a paltry $9 for groceries.
After discussing her financial situation with her father, she decided to make her plight known on social media.
His video, released in September, attracted nearly 18,000 comments. It was shared more than 9,100 times and received 64,000 likes.
According to her, this video was successful because people can relate to the situation she is in.
She believes her video highlights a situation that many Canadians experience in silence. People are afraid to speak up when [ça ne va pas bien].
Tight budget
The rent for the one-bedroom house she lives in with her 18-year-old son is $1,650 a month. After the essential expenses such as telephone, heating, gasoline and insurance are paid, there is almost nothing left for food.
The rising cost of living has caused food bank use to reach its highest level since these reports began being published in 1989, according to a report released Wednesday by Food Banks Canada.
Despite his $21 hourly wage, the constant rise in the cost of living since the pandemic has weakened his purchasing power.
When I started making $21 an hour two years ago, I was living well. I could survive, she says.
After virality comes reality
Since posting her video, Ms Finlayson has lost her job. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning company she worked for made layoffs.
She doesn’t think she’ll be able to pay her rent this month. The future is uncertain.
She is currently looking for a job in the insurance sector, where she previously worked for eight years.
Her message to politicians is clear: They must understand that the cost of living is higher than wages, she said. The economy cannot survive in this situation. She no longer balances. This will harm people’s mental health. And the whole country will be weakened if they don’t provide support.
With information from CBC News