A new government multibillion-dollar plan to tackle the rising cost of food in Canada cannot come soon enough for B.C. couples facing relationship strains in the grocery aisles.
Interac and Burson teamed up to survey 1,500 adult residents across the country between May 8 and 12, 2026, about how increasing grocery costs impact them.
While single respondents reported “disproportionately higher per-person costs than Canadians who split these expenses,” it’s not all roses in the floral section for couples, especially those in British Columbia.
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The survey suggests that 47 per cent approach grocery spending differently from their partner, and 28 per cent say grocery spending has been a strain in their relationship in the past six months.
Four in 10 people shared that conflict arises when one partner sticks to the pre-planned list while the other buys impulsively. Other friction points include what one sees as a necessary purchase and whether or not name brands are worth the cost.
In B.C., just 58 per cent of people in a shared household report managing a grocery budget well together, the lowest total in the country.
“With our State of the Cart survey, we wanted to better understand the domestic dynamics behind grocery transaction moments,” said Chris Lee, head of payments at Interac, in a release.
“While all Canadians face the common challenge of rising grocery prices, the pressure differs greatly according to whether you live alone or with a partner, your age and stage of life, and even the province you call home.”
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Shopping with a partner does have its benefits, as a shared household spends an average of $80 per person per week on groceries.
This is over $20 less than what an average single-person household spends, which is approximately $102.
Seventy-seven per cent of solo Canadians reported that their grocery bill keeps going up no matter what they try, and nearly six in 10 people added that they face disproportionately higher per-person costs than Canadians who can split the costs.
“Canadians are weighing tradeoffs more carefully, planning more deliberately and making thoughtful choices about what matters most in their cart,” added Lee.
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced that the federal government is rolling out its first-ever National Food Security Strategy, a 10-year plan backed by a $3-billion investment.
The goal of the plan is to “break open the market” for independent retailers, boost food production in Canada, and build a more self-sufficient and affordable food system.
According to a report by Dalhousie Agri-food Analytics Lab, food prices will go up by four to six per cent in 2026, with an average family of four spending up to $17,571.79 next year in groceries, a nearly $1,000 increase compared to 2025.