Holiday shoppers in Ottawa adjust spending amid tariff concerns

A new survey found shoppers are adjusting holiday spending amid the Canada-U.S. trade war. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson hears from Ottawa shoppers on their plans.

Holiday shoppers in Ottawa say they are making lists, and checking them twice, as higher tariff costs are causing them to alter their buying plans.

The latest figures from the Bank of Montreal’s (BMO) Real Financial Progress Index show three-in-five Canadian shoppers are altering their spending habits this year, pointing to rising costs from tariffs as the Grinch affecting their holiday plans.

Shopper Celeste Regimbald says tariffs are changing the way she shops for the holidays this year.

“I’m trying to buy Canadian. I’m trying not to buy online just because of shipping costs and all of that, and tariffs,” Regimbald told CTV News Ottawa.

Shopping at Place D’Orleans Shopping Centre on Friday, Regimbald says shopping in person is helping her keep an eye on sales and she’s hoping Black Friday deals will make things a little less expensive.

“I like to go all out and buy all my girlfriends similar gifts and buy them Christmas PJs and stuff. I don’t know if I’m going to do that this year again, but we’ll see,” she said. “I’m definitely getting gifts for my parents and my brother and my sister.”

Regimbald is a student, and she says she is on a strict budget this holiday season.

“I have a tight budget this year,” Regimbald said.

According to BMO’s report, 61 per cent of Canadians are changing how they spend money this year, with 37 per cent saying they’re looking for gifts minimally impacted by tariffs, like Canadian-made goods.

BMO also says 41 per cent of shoppers are planning to cut back their holiday spending and 15 per cent of people are budgeting more in anticipation of higher prices.

Janet Rogers says she stays on the lookout for Christmas gifts year-round to save money come the holidays.

“I’m done my Christmas shopping,” she says. “I Christmas shop year-round because of the expense. I do it a little bit at a time and then it’s not as hard on my bank account.”

Her daughter Jayda Kilby says she didn’t take the same approach this year.

“I feel like I do the opposite,” she laughs. “I feel like right now I’m spending a big chunk of money. As before, I didn’t spend anything.”

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