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

This section is Partnership Content suppliedThe content in this section is supplied by Business Wire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire Article contentThe 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.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentCALGARY, Alberta — 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.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentNearly 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.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe survey reveals that financial pressure is not only straining partnerships but also impacting Canadians’ emotional well-being and trust within relationships.Article contentEMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL IMPACTSArticle contentMore 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:Article content34% report increased anxiety and/or depression25% say they experience poor sleep after financial disagreementsArticle contentFinancial stress is also influencing honesty between partners. Among Canadians in relationships:Article content11% admit they have lied to their partner about their financial situation to avoid conflict, up from 8% last year13% say they have considered lying about their financial situation, up from 10% last yearArticle contentFINANCIAL DISAGREEMENTS AND TRANSPARENCYArticle contentWhile most couples still strive for openness, disagreements around everyday money decisions remain common.Article contentThe 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.Article contentDespite rising tension, financial transparency levels have remained steady year-over-year:Article content50% say they are very open and share everything, including a joint bank account40% keep separate accounts but share important financial informationOnly 2% say they do not discuss finances with their partner at allArticle content“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.”Article contentAs 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.Article contentArticle contentFor more information, visit www.moneymentors.ca.Article contentAbout Money Mentors:Article contentMoney 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.Article contentOur 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.Article contentMethodology:Article contentThese 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.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentView source version on businesswire.com: Article content https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260211355962/en/Article contentArticle contentContactsArticle contentFor media inquiries, please contact: Article contentArticle contentCategory CommunicationsArticle contentArticle contentRachel DillaneArticle contentArticle contentrachel@categorycomms.comArticle content#distroArticle contentTrending John Manley: Why Canada needs to play it cool on CUSMA — and keep its options open Economy The problem of the Toys 'R' Us $36-million gift card mountain Retail & Marketing BlackBerry cofounder Michael Lazaridis invests in Vancouver-based AI startup Innovation 'Escape hatches are gone': Power of sale listings surge in Toronto Real Estate As Cuba fuel crisis deepens, Canadians on the ground remain in vacation mode News Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. 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