Financial Stress and the Alberta Workplace: 2026 Workplace and Wellness Report

What our clients have to say

Excellent

Based on 68 reviews

Meara L P.

10 months ago

Today I finished paying off my OPD program debt! I can’t thank Yve Boucher and the others on the Money Mentors team enough for all of their guidance. Throughout the 2 years that I worked with Yve she was always a call or an email away and I received guidance when I needed it and in a timely manner. I recommend Money Mentors to anyone that is struggling to get back into good financial shape. Shanae!! Meara Unfortunately, the debt was created by my half sibling and my father from stealing and reselling my property and not paying my bills and stealing my profits. So that’s awesome.. sometimes it’s not your fault.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Meara, for your kind words and congratulations on completing your OPD program! We’re thrilled that Yve and our team could support you throughout your journey. Your recommendation means so much to us, and we’re here if you ever need guidance in the future. Wishing you continued success and financial peace!

Barbara

11 months ago

I am ashamed to be writing this review so many months after receiving the wonderful and timely advice from Alexander Martin, Counsellor with Money Mentors, Calgary, Alberta. I contacted him after carefully reviewing their website, back in November of 2024, and he graciously and extremely patiently explained the various aspects of handling my personal debt. I was so ashamed for allowing myself to fall into this trap of credit card debt. I should have known better. And for that reason, I was adamant that I needed to pay off the debt myself. I was not prepared to forgive myself for the fact that had I not been diagnosed with 3 types of cancer in 2016 and forced to quit work, I would have been able to meet my own commitments, but I chose to remain angry, lonely, and growing further in debt with increasing interest fees monthly. I was 75, and if I could just get a part time job... but after a whole year of applications and job fairs, that was not to be. Alexander was so kind; he explained the facts, and how so many Canadians fall into this trap annually, whether through illness, bad choices, job loss, or whatever other circumstance. He eased my guilt, and allowed me to see the light again. While Money Mentors does not handle the particular solution to my own problem, he was the guiding light on my journey towards the rest of my life and freedom. I did not bite the bullet finally until August of 2025, by the time I selected a Trustee to work with, but I am now well on my way. Thank you Alexander; I could not have done it without you! Barbara

Ron H.

2 years ago

Money Mentors rescued me from a debt problem I could never seem to overcome. After years of best intentions, trying to be responsible, borrowing from one source to pay another, and then losing my job, it became impossible to just get by another month. The stress and anxiety were bringing me down, and worse, bringing my wife down with me. I feared it would feel like defeat, and an embarrassment, to reach out for help, but I could not have been more wrong. I reached out to Money Mentors. We met with Alexander Martin who guided us through our options and setting up my OPD program. Alex was fantastic – empathetic, patient, kind, informative and thorough. For the first time in years it felt like there was light at the end of the tunnel. The strain and stress on our immediate lives changed almost overnight. It has taken some time, but the debt is now cleared. My responsibilities to creditors have been met, which was important to me personally. My wife and I communicate better about finances and budgeting. Now I’m working on gradually restoring my credit record to good standing, with a clear plan and timeline in place to accomplish that. I can’t imagine getting here without the incredible help of Money Mentors, we’re very grateful. Thank you, Alex!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your journey and leaving such a thoughtful review. Your words beautifully capture the challenges you faced and the courage it took to seek help. We’re so glad that Alexander and the Money Mentors team could be there to provide the guidance and support you needed. Your story of overcoming debt and strengthening your financial communication with your wife is incredibly inspiring. Knowing that the program brought peace and clarity to your life is why we do what we do. As you continue on your financial journey, we’d love to be a resource for you. If you ever have any questions or want to explore new tips for budgeting and financial planning, check out our Money Tips Blog at moneymentors.ca/money-tips. It’s filled with helpful content to keep you moving forward with confidence. Wishing you and your wife continued success and financial well-being. Thank you again for trusting us and sharing your experience. All the best!

Image: Yank Krukov / Pexels | pexels.com/photo/stressed-businesspeople-at-an-office-7698818/

Nearly two in three working Albertans say they are less financially secure than they were a year ago, and for more than half, that stress is following them to work. These are some of the key findings from our 2026 Workplace and Wellness Report, conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum.

The results are striking not because they are surprising, but because of how consistent they are across income levels and how thin the safety net has become for those already feeling the pressure.

Albertans Are Losing Financial Ground

More than three in five (62%) working Albertans say they are less financially secure than they were a year ago, compared with 49% of working Canadians nationally. Only 14% say they are more financially secure.

The biggest driver is the cost of everyday living. More than one in three working Albertans (36%) point to higher costs for groceries, utilities, transportation, and other essentials as the reason they are falling behind, compared with 24% nationally.

Financial Stress Is Following Albertans Into the Workplace

More than half (56%) of working Albertans say financial stress has negatively affected their focus, productivity, or attendance at work. That number is virtually unchanged from 58% in 2025, suggesting the problem has not eased despite some broader economic stabilization.

The impact is not limited to lower-income workers. Among employees in households earning $50,000 to under $100,000, nearly two in three (63%) report an impact. Even among workers in households earning $100,000 or more, half say financial stress is affecting their work.

The Safety Net Is Thin — Especially for Those Already Struggling

More than two in five (42%) working Albertans could cover no more than two months of regular expenses if they lost their job today. One in five has less than one month of savings or none at all.

For Albertans whose financial stress is already affecting them at work, the cushion is even smaller:

More than two in three (68%) could cover no more than two months of expenses if they lost their job.
Nearly four in 10 (39%) have less than one month of savings or no financial cushion at all.
Only 12% could cover six months or more.

This level of vulnerability has persisted year over year. In 2025, 71% of Alberta workers already feeling financial stress at work had no more than two months covered, compared with 68% in 2026.

Many Albertans Do Not Know Where to Turn

More than one in five (22%) working Albertans say they would not know where to turn first if they or someone they knew were struggling with serious debt. Among those whose financial stress is already affecting their work, that rises to nearly one in three (32%).

Among those who do know where they would go, non-profit financial counselling is the most common first choice. More than one in four (26%) say they would turn to a non-profit financial counselling or debt-help organization first, ahead of a financial planner or advisor (22%), a bank or credit union (10%), or a licensed insolvency trustee (4%).

Awareness of specific programs remains low. Nearly four in five (79%) working Albertans had never heard of the Orderly Payment of Debts program before taking the survey. Only 7% had heard of it and knew at least something about it.

The awareness gap is particularly pronounced among younger workers. Nearly one in four (24%) Albertans aged 18 to 34 say they would not know where to turn for serious debt help.

What This Means

“Financial stress doesn’t stop when someone starts their workday,” says Stacy Yanchuk Oleksy, CEO of Money Mentors. “When people are already operating with very little financial cushion, an unexpected expense or loss of income can quickly become a much bigger problem. For employees, the takeaway is to seek support before debt becomes unmanageable. For employers, it means recognizing that financial stress can affect people at work and making sure employees know where they can turn for trusted, confidential help.”

Free Help Is Available

Money Mentors is the only Alberta-based non-profit credit counselling agency and the exclusive provider of the Orderly Payment of Debts program in Alberta. We offer free, confidential credit counselling and financial education to help Albertans understand their debt and money-management options.

If you or someone you know is feeling financial pressure, reaching out early means more options. Call 1-888-294-0076 or visit moneymentors.ca to speak with a Certified Financial Counsellor.

Methodology

2026 Alberta Survey: Angus Reid Group surveyed 803 working Albertans from August 7 to 10, 2026, for Money Mentors’ 2026 research. The final data tables are dated August 18, 2026.

2026 National Omnibus: Angus Reid Group surveyed 1,522 Canadians nationally as part of its August 13, 2026 National Omnibus. Financial-security findings cited among working Albertans and Canadians include employed, self-employed, and business-owner respondents. The final data tables are dated August 17, 2026.

Benchmark Comparison 2025: Angus Reid Group surveyed 860 working Albertans for Money Mentors’ 2025 research. The 2025 data tables are dated October 23, 2025.