Debt holds Canadians back from financial goals

About 72 per cent of Canadians say they're holding some form of debt, according to a new poll by CIBC.

The bank found that of those debt-holders, four in 10 say their current debt level is an obstacle to reaching future financial goals.

Broken down by age, the survey found that 35- to 44-year-old Canadians are most likely to hold various forms of debt, with 89 per cent of that group saying they hold at least one form of debt.

Those aged both 18 to 24, and 65 or older, were least likely to have debt.

By region, the survey found that more Albertans are carrying debt, with 77 per cent of respondents in the province having at least some.

British Columbia has the lowest levels of debt in all of the provinces.