Canada Government Budget Surplus Shrinks in December

Canada’s government posted a budget surplus of CAD 0.2 billion in December 2025, compared with a surplus of CAD 1.0 billion in December 2024. This shift reflected a CAD 1.8 billion increase in revenues, driven by higher corporate and personal income tax revenues, while lower pollution pricing provided partial offsets. Program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses, rose by CAD 2.6 billion, reflecting higher direct program expenses, major transfers to provinces, and pollution pricing proceeds returned. Public debt charges fell CAD 0.2 billion as lower interest rates on treasury bills and lower CPI adjustments on Real Return Bonds outweighed higher effective interest rates on an increased stock of marketable bonds. For the April to December 2025–26 window, the federal deficit reached CAD 26.1 billion, up from CAD 21.7 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Canada’s government posted a budget deficit of CAD 8.0 billion in November 2025, compared with a deficit of CAD 8.2 billion in November 2024. This shift reflected a CAD 0.4 billion decrease in revenues, driven by lower pollution pricing and GST, while income tax provided partial offsets. Program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses, fell by CAD 1.1 billion, reflecting lower pollution pricing proceeds returned and lower direct program expenses, partly offset by higher major transfers to persons and provinces. Public debt charges rose CAD 0.4 billion as higher CPI adjustments on Real Return Bonds and higher average interest rates on marketable bonds outweighed lower rates on treasury bills. For the April to November 2025–26 window, the federal deficit reached CAD 26.4 billion, up from CAD 22.7 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Canada’s government posted a budget deficit of CAD 5.0 billion in September 2025, compared with a deficit of CAD 3.2 billion in September 2024. This shift largely reflected a CAD 0.9 billion (2.5%) increase in revenues, driven by higher corporate and personal income tax and customs import duties, while pollution pricing fell by CAD 0.9 billion following the cessation of the federal fuel charge. Program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses and gains, rose by CAD 1.6 billion (4.6%), reflecting higher direct program expenses, major transfers to persons, and transfers to provinces, territories, and municipalities. Public debt charges fell CAD 0.4 billion or 8.3% as lower rates on treasury bills and reduced interest on pension obligations outweighed higher average rates on a larger stock of marketable bonds. For the April to September 2025–26 window the federal deficit reached CAD 16.1 billion, up from CAD 13.0 billion in the same period a year earlier.