It looks like a lot more Canadians could be spending Valentine’s Day alone this year due to financial constraints.
Money Mentors, a credit counselling agency based in Alberta, released its 2026 Love and Money Benchmark Survey in collaboration with Angus Reid. It explores how the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is affecting Canadians’ relationships, emotional well-being, and financial transparency year-over-year.
“The national study highlights how financial stress is increasingly showing up beyond household budgets, shaping relationship stability, trust between partners, and dating dynamics across the country as Canadians navigate rising costs and economic uncertainty,” reads the report.
Money Mentors’ findings aren’t so heartwarming.
The survey found that nearly one in five Canadians (17 per cent) say their financial situation has led them to consider breaking up, separating, or divorcing their partner at some point. That number increased significantly from 11 per cent in 2025.
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In the past year alone, one-quarter (25 per cent) say financial factors have negatively impacted their relationships or dating lives, according to the report.
Money Mentors also found that issues surrounding finances have had emotional and personal impacts on Canadians.
Over half (52 per cent) of Canadians in relationships say they’ve experienced personal effects after arguing about money with their partner, up from 47 per cent last year.
Thirty-four per cent of respondents report increased anxiety and/or depression, while 25 per cent say they experience poor sleep after financial disagreements.
Money matters are also influencing honesty between couples.
The survey found that among Canadians in relationships, 11 per cent admit they have lied to their partner about their financial situation to avoid conflict, up from eight per cent in 2025.
Additionally, 13 per cent say they have considered lying about their financial situation to their partner, up from 10 per cent last year.
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Money Mentors found that the most frequent causes of disagreements around finances are day-to-day spending (28 per cent) and lack of savings (24 per cent).
“While 39 per cent of Canadians in relationships say they have no financial disagreements with their partner, this is down from 45 per cent in 2025,” reads the report.
Despite this, there are still couples who are successfully working through the cost-of-living crisis.
Half of the respondents say they are very open and share everything, including a joint bank account, while 40 per cent keep separate accounts, but share important information.
“Only two per cent say they do not discuss finances with their partner at all,” reads the report.
Money Mentors surveyed 1,502 Canadian adults in partnership with Angus Reid from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, 2026.