The trade war has financially unnerved the nation. The new prime minster needs to calm things down.

How about a post-election address to the country with a plan to protect the financial security of Canadians?

The result of a recent Carrick on Money survey suggests this kind of reassurance is badly needed. A total of 1,353 people responded, most of them aged 50 and up. Their top concerns are their retirement savings, the financial future of their children and grandchildren and the cost of living. Many also said they feel a gnawing uncertainty about the future.

Where you see naked anxiety is in the comments people left about their specific worries:

“My son-in-law can’t get welding work (employers not hiring).”

“Loss of our three children’s jobs.”

“Just having so many friends so stressed and financially compromised.”

“Dividend cuts that will reduce my monthly income”

“Two years from retirement and watching my retirement plan collapse.”

“Higher costs for young families already struggling to make ends meet”

“Being able to sell our house and downsize.”

“An unforeseen economic contagion cascades out of control and leads to a great depression and war.”

“Reduction in pensions.”

“Worry about my parents’ retirement savings”

“Financial future of my children and grandchildren.”

“Reduced income due to clients being unable to afford to pay for therapy.”

Two-thirds of survey respondents said they have already felt the financial effects of the trade war, most notably through declines in their investments, higher prices and worries about job loss.

Almost 60 per cent said they have moderated their discretionary spending already, one-third said they have made changes to their investments and one-quarter have boosted their emergency funds.

The job of awaiting the new prime minister was nicely framed in the survey by a participant who said their biggest worry is this: “The ability and resolve of Canadian governments to build a stronger and more productive economy that is less vulnerable to the U.S.”