Nearly half of Canadian singles believe it’s not financially worth it to date: poll

It’s seems there isn’t enough money for cupid’s arrow to strike everyone this Valentine’s Day after a new poll from BMO shows nearly half of single Canadians surveyed say it’s not financially worth it to date. 

Lekhana Khera, who’s in a relationship, tells CityNews she’s not planning to open her wallet this weekend.

“My boyfriend has everything planned so he better do something and if he’s watching this, I better not be disappointed,” she said.

BMO says the average amount Canadians are shelling out for Valentine’s Day festivities is $174.

That’s why 49 per cent of single respondents to BMO’s poll say after doing the cost-benefit analysis, dating right now is just not worth it.

“It just kind of depends on where you want to focus your energy and spend it as well,” said David Rodriguez, who’s single. “I think if you need that, obviously when the right person comes along it’ll be worth it.”

Alicia Abballe, the regional vice president of the central Calgary market with BMO says as costs rise, Canadians are cutting back on dating and putting more long-term stability ahead of romance.

Even Calgarians who are in a relationship admit they are feeling the cost of love. 

“The thing is you will always spend something, even when you expect to not, you will spend something, so that’s the unfortunate truth,”
said Jay Cousley.

That might be good news for businesses like Central Restaurants, who say with the warmer weather in Calgary right now and Valentine’s Day coming up, things are working in their favour.

“We’re set to be pretty busy on Valentine’s Day, I mean if you look back at this past week, the past couple of weeks have been pretty busy as well,” said Nathan Clusiau a bartender and manager at Central Restaurants.

BMO says if you’re still on the hunt for love this Valentine’s Day but don’t want to break the bank, try low-cost activities like dates at a bookstore or library.