The Financial Post reports in its Thursday edition that Canadians are feeling financial stress, and even a large rate cut by the Bank of Canada may not provide much relief, says a survey of people's outlook. The Post's Gigi Suhanic writes that the effects of pandemic-era inflation and consistently high prices continue to be major concerns for consumers, as stated by Maru Public Opinion's John Wright. He highlighted that even a further 50-basis point cut in interest rates may not prompt action from many Canadians, who may choose to wait for better conditions, given the challenges of down payments and mortgages. Affordability issues in Canada's housing market have worsened, with home prices now 30 per cent higher than in April, 2020. Monthly mortgage payments on a five-year fixed mortgage are also 40 per cent higher than in January, 2020. In the previous Maru survey, more people seemed ready to enter the housing market, possibly encouraged by the BOC's announced intention to keep cutting rates. However, people are now looking to downsize from their current homes due to being unable to afford their mortgages. They are also hoping that the rate cut would make their properties more attractive to potential buyers.