Ottawa parents are once again digging deep as the back-to-school season gets underway, with many saying this year's shopping lists are costing noticeably more than in years past.
From notebooks and backpacks to new shoes and winter coats, the essentials of getting kids ready for class are adding up fast. Families across the city say they're noticing the difference at checkout, whether they're shopping at big box stores in the west end or smaller shops downtown.
Tariffs and energy costs squeezing budgets
Experts point to a mix of factors driving prices higher this year, including tariffs on imported goods and rising energy costs that ripple through the price of everything from manufacturing to shipping. Those added costs tend to show up on store shelves just as families are stocking up for September, making an already expensive time of year even tougher on the wallet.
For households in Ottawa, where the cost of living has already been a persistent concern, the timing couldn't be worse. Back-to-school shopping typically hits family budgets hard in a short window, and this year parents say there's less room to absorb the extra expense.
What it means for Ottawa families
With two school boards, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board, serving tens of thousands of students across the city, the ripple effects of higher prices touch a huge share of local households. Many parents are adjusting by shopping sales earlier, buying secondhand where they can, or spreading out purchases over several paycheques instead of one big shopping trip.
Some Ottawa families are also leaning on community resources, including school supply drives and local charities that step in to help cover the gap for households feeling the pinch hardest. Local food banks and community organizations in neighbourhoods like Vanier and Overbrook have historically ramped up support during this period, recognizing that school costs can strain grocery budgets too.
Looking ahead
While back-to-school costs tend to ease once the initial rush of shopping is over, the broader pressures from tariffs and energy prices aren't expected to disappear anytime soon. That means Ottawa parents may want to keep budgeting carefully well into the fall, especially with winter clothing and holiday expenses not far behind.
For now, the message from experts is clear: plan ahead, watch for sales, and don't be afraid to ask about community supports if the squeeze gets tight. Ottawa's school year is just getting started, and for a lot of families, so is the work of making the budget stretch.
Source: CBC Ottawa
