Canadians crowdfunding to stay afloat

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Written by Jane Gerster Copy Editor, Digital News

Good morning. As the cost of living crisis continues to hit hard, a growing number of Canadians are turning to GoFundMe to pay their bills. Bell and Telus are under fire for their response to a CRTC move meant to save Canadians' money. Plus, sources tell CBC News that the World Zionist Organization was included in a draft version of Canadian sanctions announced last week targeting West Bank settlements.

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Some Canadians are crowdfunding to pay their bills

More than 15,000 GoFundMe fundraisers for "essential needs" were started in Canada between January and May — up eight per cent from the same time period in 2025.

What's happening: The fundraising platform's data suggests a growing reality in which Canadians are caught between high living costs and limited social support. Since 2020, it says there has been a 274 per cent jump in campaigns specifically mentioning "cost of living."

Why it matters: The campaigns are "a symptom of a much deeper problem," according to an expert at McMaster University. "When we get to a point where people are having to basically panhandle on the internet.... That tells you how serious the situation has become," William Huggins said. Food Banks Canada paints a similar picture of struggle, while data suggests the majority of the fundraisers will not reach their goal.

Catherine Zhu has more

Bell, Telus under fire for fees that 'appear' to violate new rules

New rules from Canada's telecom regulator are meant to wave goodbye to activation fees and early cancellation fees.

What's happening: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has been trading letters with Telus and Bell over fees it says violate the new rules. Bell says its $40 handling charge is exempt because getting a phone plan doesn't (always) require buying a new phone, while Telus says its $15 SIM card fee is exempt because it's "a physical or digital product for purchase, rather than an administrative fee."

Why it matters: The CRTC investigation is ongoing, but neither company seems particularly inclined to give in. According to Matt Hatfield with OpenMedia, this is "sort of a shady used-car dealer type thing to do." The point of the new rules, after all, is to make it easier for Canadians to switch plans. "This appears, to me, to be them continuing a practice that looks very much like activation fees under a different name."

Sophia Harris reports

World Zionist Organization removed from Canada's West Bank sanctions draft before release, sources say

Last week, Global Affairs Canada announced a new round of sanctions against organizations involved with expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which it considers illegal under international law.

What's happening: The World Zionist Organization (WZO) wasn't on the published list, but two sources with knowledge of the matter told CBC News that it was on the draft version. Per Israeli law, the group is an "authorized agency" that helps expand West Bank settlements.

Why it matters: There's been conflict between the WZO and other NGOs in Canada and internationally. In Australia, a coalition including Amnesty International pushed for sanctions against the group in February. The sources didn't say why WZO was cut from the sanction list, and officials also wouldn't say.

Raffy Boudjikanian explains

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