Over the course of the last decade or so, Canadian leisure tastes have changed significantly. The changes in Canadian hobbies and leisure tastes have been reflected in other countries around the world, in part because of the rise of digital technology and in part due to the disruptive impact of global events. Keep reading to learn more about all the different ways in which Canadians have changed how they like spending their downtime.
Enjoying the great outdoors like never before
Especially over the course of the last 18 months, Canadians of all stripes have developed a renewed interest in the great outdoors. Hiking, skiing, camping and water sports are all on the rise across Canada as more and more people are looking for ways to explore the natural world and have fun without needing to travel abroad.
Many people are feeling increasingly divorced from their communities, from the natural world and from one another. Outdoor activities and practices such as ‘forest bathing’ have created an opportunity for Canadians to once again connect with themselves, each other and nature in small but meaningful ways. It is likely that this trend will continue, especially as cities become increasingly impersonal and work-from-home options become the norm.
Innovations in gambling styles
Canadians have always enjoyed gambling and there is arguably no better way to spend a cold winter evening than throwing the dice on an active, exciting casino floor. However, Canadians are increasingly turning to online gambling platforms and digital casinos. Online casinos provide an extra level of convenience and ease because players can enjoy multiple games at once, use cryptocurrencies to lodge payments and play their favourite games on the go.
There are now so many different online casinos that it can be difficult for new gamblers to find the safest and most secure casinos that also boast the top ratings. CasinoTopsOnline.com ranks all of the best online casinos in Canada and provides reviews of each casino, with information on the games libraries and the bonuses available. This is a great resource for novice and veteran gamblers alike.
Self-sufficiency and leisure
Global events that have occurred in the last 18 months have led to many Canadians opting to try out new, self-sufficient hobbies and activities. More people than ever have started making their own clothes, gardening, baking, cooking and getting creative with DIY at home. Some market observers have argued that this new interest runs deeper than sourdough trends and could be a reflection of young Canadians seeing the value in self-sufficiency and a slower, more equitable economy. This change is likely to stick around as many people have developed newfound hobbies, interests and talents.
The rise of digital entertainment
Digital entertainment has increasingly taken over from more traditional forms. Streaming platforms such as Netflix have created an entire industry of streaming platforms that now includes companies like HBO, Disney, Amazon and more. While cinemas are still popular for big-name releases and arthouse, niche films, streaming is increasingly taking over from cable television and cinema viewership.
Most Canadians now stream their television and films, and also stream their music and podcasts. The great diversity of content available is a result of the lowered barriers to entry into the industry. As the industry progresses, you can be sure that more and more innovative, new content will be regularly created and released. Looking to the future, it is likely that new technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, or VR and AR, will become the norm as more people will want to enjoy immersive entertainment experiences.
Prioritisation of travel and experiences
Just like many young people around the world, millennials and Gen Zers in Canada are opting to spend their money and time on travel and experiences rather than on purchased items. This shift has been reflected in the numbers of people opting to go travelling rather than buy a car or make a significant purchase, and in the rise of services that offer rented wardrobes, shared cars and innovative rental housing.
The shift towards prioritising experiences over objects could potentially be linked to social media and how social media users document their experiences and in doing so create online personas and develop followings. However, it could also be linked to how young people are increasingly critical of hyper-capitalist systems and how many young people cannot afford home ownership. It is likely that young people will not be inclined to spend their money purchasing objects if they cannot afford a permanent dwelling place to store them.