Money Problems Are Taking a Growing Toll on Canadian Relationships, New Report Reveals

The 2026 Love and Money Benchmark Survey compares 2025 and 2026 data to reveal how financial pressures are increasingly straining Canadian relationships and dating lives year-over-year.

CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As affordability pressures continue to weigh on households across the country, financial stress is taking a growing toll on Canadians’ relationships. According to the 2026 Love and Money Benchmark Survey issued by Money Mentors, an Alberta-based non-profit credit counselling agency, more Canadians than ever say money troubles have pushed them to consider ending a relationship.

Nearly one in five Canadians (17%) say their financial situation has led them to consider breaking up, separating, or divorcing a partner at some point, up significantly from 11% last year. In the past year alone, one-quarter (25%) say financial factors have negatively affected their relationships or dating lives.

The survey reveals that financial pressure is not only straining partnerships but also impacting Canadians’ emotional well-being and trust within relationships.

EMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL IMPACTS

More than half (52%) of Canadians in a relationship say they’ve experienced personal effects after arguing about money with their partner, up from 47% last year. Among the most common impacts:

• 34% report increased anxiety and/or depression
• 25% say they experience poor sleep after financial disagreements

Financial stress is also influencing honesty between partners. Among Canadians in relationships:

• 11% admit they have lied to their partner about their financial situation to avoid conflict, up from 8% last year
• 13% say they have considered lying about their financial situation, up from 10% last year

FINANCIAL DISAGREEMENTS AND TRANSPARENCY

While most couples still strive for openness, disagreements around everyday money decisions remain common.

• The most frequent causes of financial disagreements are day-to-day spending (28%) and lack of savings (24%)
• While 39% of Canadians in relationships say they have no financial disagreements with their partner, this is down from 45% in 2025.

Despite rising tension, financial transparency levels have remained steady year-over-year:

• 50% say they are very open and share everything, including a joint bank account
• 40% keep separate accounts but share important financial information
• Only 2% say they do not discuss finances with their partner at all

“The rise in Canadians questioning their relationships because of money is a serious red flag,” says Stacy Yanchuk Oleksy, CEO of Money Mentors. “Financial stress is no longer just about dollars and debt. It’s showing up as anxiety, lost sleep, and tension at home. When couples feel stuck or ashamed to talk about money, the stress only grows, and reaching out for support can be the first step toward relief, clarity, and a sense of partnership again.”

As economic uncertainty continues, Money Mentors encourages Canadians to seek help early. As the exclusive partner of the Orderly Payment of Debt (OPD) program on behalf of the Alberta Government, Money Mentors offers free financial counselling and debt solutions to individuals, couples, and families to build a more secure, stress-free financial future.

For more information, visit www.moneymentors.ca.

About Money Mentors:

Money Mentors is the only Alberta-based non-profit credit counselling agency. For more than 25 years, our experienced team of accredited Counsellors has been working with Albertans to help them get out of debt, manage their money, and plan for retirement.

Our mission is to educate Albertans in personal money management and the wise use of credit and to provide alternatives for families and individuals facing financial crises. For more information, visit www.moneymentors.ca to contact an accredited Counsellor.

Methodology:

These findings are from a survey conducted by Money Mentors from January 29th to February 2nd, 2026, among a representative sample of 1502 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.