Prime Minister Carney Announces New Measures to Lower Costs for Canadians

Federal Budget 2025 will focus on affordability, efficiency, and building a stronger, more united Canada.

Ottawa — Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of new affordability measures ahead of the upcoming 2025 federal budget, designed to lower costs for Canadians and ensure that economic growth translates into real benefits for families across the country.

Carney said the new government is “building Canada Strong” — prioritizing affordability, responsible fiscal management, and investments that empower Canadians.

“Our Budget will build a stronger Canada,” Carney stated. “It will empower Canadians by helping you get ahead, bringing down your costs, and making your life more affordable.”

Canada’s new government is focused on bringing down your costs — so you can get ahead. pic.twitter.com/vVEXpK5TDd

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 10, 2025

Key Measures to Help Canadians Get Ahead

The new affordability plan includes three major initiatives:

1. Automatic Federal Benefits

   • Beginning with the 2026 tax year, the Canada Revenue Agency will automatically file tax returns for low-income Canadians to ensure they receive benefits such as the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, and Canada Disability Benefit.

   • By 2028, this measure will reach up to 5.5 million Canadians, ensuring that those eligible for government support don’t miss out on benefits they qualify for.

2. Permanent National School Food Program

   • The National School Food Program (NSFP) will be made permanent, ensuring that up to 400,000 children across the country have access to healthy meals at school.

   • The program is expected to save families with two children approximately $800 annually on groceries, while promoting child health and learning outcomes.

   • Permanent annual funding of $216.6 million will begin in 2029–30.

3. Renewal of the Canada Strong Pass

   • The Canada Strong Pass will return for the holiday season (Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 15, 2026) and again for summer 2026.

   • The program offers free or discounted access to national and provincial parks, museums, and historic sites — plus 25% off VIA Rail travel for young adults aged 18 to 24.

A Responsible Approach to Growth

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the upcoming Budget 2025 will “spend less so we can invest more in long-term growth and affordability.”

He confirmed that Ottawa will focus on reducing waste in government operations to prioritize direct investments in Canadians — a sentiment echoed by Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault, who described affordability as key to national unity.

“By making life more affordable for families and helping Canadians explore their own country, we’re building a stronger, more united, and prouder Canada,” Guilbeault said.

Le budget 2025 est notre plan pour apporter des changements générationnels et transformateurs pour les Canadiens — et bâtir un Canada fort.

🇨🇦

Budget 2025 is our plan to deliver generational and transformative change for Canadians — and build Canada Strong. pic.twitter.com/HzVmtT8SJW

— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) 🇨🇦 (@FP_Champagne) October 10, 2025

Building an Inclusive and Fair Economy

Additional ministers highlighted the social and economic impacts of these initiatives.

• Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, said lowering costs “gives people more room to breathe and more power to shape their future.”

• Anna Gainey, Secretary of State for Children and Youth, called the permanent school food program “a direct investment in families that ensures more kids get nutritious meals at school.”

• Wayne Long, Secretary of State for the CRA and Financial Institutions, underscored that automatic benefits “will make it faster and easier for Canadians to get the support they’re entitled to.”

Building Canada Strong

The affordability plan builds on several earlier measures introduced by the Carney government, including:

• Cancelling the consumer carbon tax.

• Cutting taxes for 22 million middle-class Canadians.

• Eliminating GST for first-time homebuyers.

These actions reflect the government’s focus on reducing everyday costs, creating opportunities, and strengthening Canada’s long-term economic foundation.

“We cannot control what other nations do,” Carney said. “We control what we choose to build — and we are building Canada Strong.”

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