Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to lower costs for Canadians and help you get ahead, mark carney automatic tax filing
In a rapidly changing and uncertain world, Canada’s new government is focused on what we can control. We’re protecting our communities and our country. We’re building our economy with major projects and millions of new homes. We’re empowering Canadians with lower costs and new opportunities so you can thrive. We can’t control what other countries do, but we can control what we choose to build – and we’re making Canada stronger.
To bring about this change, we will take bold steps and make responsible decisions. Budget 2025 will spend less on government operations and reduce waste, so we can invest more in growing our economy and protecting the programs that make life more affordable for you. To that end, Prime Minister Mark Carney today announced key measures from the upcoming federal budget that will reduce costs and protect essential programs that empower Canadians:
Introducing automatic federal benefits for the 2026 tax year that will reach 5.5 million low-income Canadians by the 2028 tax year. The CRA will automatically file these individuals’ taxes to ensure they receive the government benefits they are eligible for, such as the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, Canada Disability Benefit, and others – including benefits these Canadians may not even know they are entitled to.
Making the National School Food Program permanent to provide meals for up to 400,000 children. This program ensures children receive healthy meals at school and saves families with two children $800 per year on groceries. By making it permanent, we will work with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners to expand this program to more schools across Canada.
Renewing the Canada Strong Pass for the holidays and summer of 2026 so children and young families can explore Canada at a lower cost. It will be renewed from December 12, 2025, to January 15, 2026, and again for the summer of 2026. This will also help students traveling home for the holidays, as young people aged 18 to 24 receive a 25% discount on VIA Rail. With the Canada Strong Pass, Canadians can visit national, provincial, and territorial museums, historical sites, parks, and travel by rail for free or at a reduced price.
These measures build on previous initiatives, including the repeal of the divisive consumer carbon tax, tax cuts for 22 million middle-class Canadians, and the elimination of GST for first-time homebuyers. Canada’s new government will have a continued focus on empowering Canadians with lower costs and new opportunities to help them thrive.
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“Our budget will build a stronger Canada. It is a plan to protect our communities and our country and invest in key projects that will build our economy. It will empower Canadians by helping them get ahead, lowering their costs, and making their lives more affordable. We can’t control what other countries do. We control what we choose to build. We are making Canada stronger.”
“Canadians demanded change – real change that makes life more affordable. The measures announced today will help families across the country, benefiting from tax cuts for the middle class and the GST elimination for first-time homebuyers. Budget 2025 will outline our plan to spend less so we can invest more in Canada’s long-term growth and a stronger future.”
“A key priority for our new government is reducing costs for Canadians across the country. Today, we’re announcing measures to help people keep more of their hard-earned money – including easier access to federal benefits, making the National School Food Program for children permanent, and renewing the Canada Strong Pass for upcoming holidays and summer 2026. By making life more affordable for families and helping Canadians discover and enjoy their country, together we are building a stronger, more united, and prouder Canada.”
“Reducing costs means giving people more room to breathe and more power to shape their future. Whether it’s saving on everyday expenses or making it easier to access public services, these changes help families, strengthen communities, and build a more equitable and prosperous Canada.”
“Canada’s new government is delivering on its promise to make the National School Food Program permanent. This direct investment in families ensures more children receive nutritious meals at school, while reducing costs for parents. Because when children get the best start in life, all Canadians benefit.”
“Canada’s new government is delivering on its commitment to reduce red tape and make life more affordable for Canadians. By implementing automatic federal benefits, we’re making it faster and easier for Canadians to receive the federal benefits they’re entitled to.”
historic sites, and parks, as well as increased rail travel. This included an average 15% increase in attendance across all participating national museums, compared to 2024, and more than 50,000 rail travel Canada Strong Pass bookings.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will prepare a pre-filled tax return in My Account for about 1 million individuals with simple tax situations starting in 2027, scaling to 2.5 million individuals in 2028 and approximately 5.5 million by 2029.
Announced in Budget 2024 with an investment of $1 billion over five years, the National School Food Program (NSFP) aims to provide meals to 400,000 more kids every year, in collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners. With today’s announcement, the program will receive permanent funding of $216.6 million per year, starting in 2029-30.
As of March 2025, the Government of Canada has signed bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories on the NSFP. Many provinces and territories are already using funding provided through these agreements to support children across Canada this school year.
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