Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon highlights Government of Canada's affordability measures from Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny

Canada NewsWire

KINGSTON, ON, Nov. 12, 2026

KINGSTON, ON, Nov. 12, 2026 /CNW/ -- In a world reshaped by geopolitical competition, protectionism, and rapidly evolving technologies, Canada stands apart. Our abundant natural resources, clean and reliable energy, world-class talent, strong public finances, and access to global markets give us a clear competitive advantage.

We have the strength to build and the discipline to deliver.

These foundations are already translating into results: investment is growing, major projects are being built, and businesses are reaching new markets at home and abroad. Budget 2026 keeps Canada on a path to meet both fiscal anchors: balancing day-to-day operating spending with revenues by 2027-28, a full year ahead of schedule, and keeping the deficit-to-GDP ratio on a declining path.

Today, the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, was in Kingston to highlight key investments from Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny and highlight affordability measures.

This includes providing eligible Canadians up to $339 for a single person without children and up to $679 for a couple with two children by enhancing the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit with a one-time 50% increase for the 2026-27 benefit year, delivered in early 2027. This benefit provides quarterly support to more than 12 million individuals and families with low or modest incomes and is indexed annually to keep pace with the cost of living.

Combined with the June 2026 top-up and the 25 per cent increase in the benefit as of July 2026, this supplement would bring total support in 2026-27 to up to about $1,290 for a single person without children and $2,570 for a couple with two children. It would provide $4.1 billion in additional support to Canadians and is expected to lift an additional 120,000 people out of poverty in 2027.

This is part of an ambitious plan to meet this moment and shape Canada's economic future: building on our strengths, driving investment, boosting productivity, diversifying our trade, creating good jobs, and making life more affordable for Canadians.

Budget 2026 affordability measures:

$610.3 million over four years, starting in 2027-28, is being invested to ensure that Nutrition North Canada can maintain and expand its essential supports, helping lower the cost of imported foods and supporting food harvesting in northern communities.
An estimated 585,000 caregivers will benefit from the new refundable Canada Caregiver Credit, recognizing their vital role in helping Canadians remain in their homes and communities.
A long-term housing strategy, providing nearly $45 billion on a cash basis over the next 11 years. Budget 2026 puts Canada on a path to end homelessness within 10 years while expanding non-market housing and building a housing market that works for all.
$1.2 billion in 2027-28 to extend mental health, addictions, and home and community care agreements will help more Canadians access the care they need regardless of their ability to pay.
An estimated 240,000 people will be lifted out of poverty through the new Build Canada Workers Benefit, keeping more money in workers' pockets.
A $2 billion investment will help up to 820,000 households switch to heat pumps and support home retrofits thanks to the new National Heat Pump Rebate. Together with other measures to improve energy efficiency, including retrofits in multi-unit residential buildings, these investments are projected to reach up to one million homes and save Canadians more than $1 billion a year on energy bills once fully implemented.
The most ambitious effort in a generation to improve Canada's tax system will make it easier for Canadians to file their taxes and access the benefits and tax relief they are entitled to.
Nearly 22 million Canadians are already keeping more of what they earn, with the middle-class tax cut saving a two-income family up to $840 this year.
First-time home buyers are now saving up to $50,000 through the removal or reduction of the GST on new homes.
Gas prices fell by about 18 cents per litre across most provinces and territories following the removal of the consumer carbon price, and drivers are now saving up to 10 cents per litre on gasoline and 4 cents on diesel through the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax.
More than 900,000 children now have access to affordable early learning and child care, helping families save up to $11,255 per child a year— and more child care spaces are on the way.
Banking has become more affordable, with non-sufficient fund fees capped at $10 and stronger consumer protections. Low-cost and no-cost bank accounts now also offer up to 50% more debit transactions for no more than $4 per month.
Cellular service prices have declined by roughly 50% since 2019.
Up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians will have easier access to federal benefits through automatic benefits and pre-filled returns.
175,000 young Canadians are gaining opportunities this fiscal year to earn money and develop work-ready skills through Canada Summer Jobs, the horizontal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, and the Student Work Placement Program.

Quotes

"When Canadians have the support they need to manage the cost of living, communities thrive. Through Budget 2026, our government is making life more affordable across the country, including here in Kingston. By providing practical support with the cost of everyday essentials and groceries, these measures will help households strengthen their financial security and plan for the future with confidence."

The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"Being masters of our destiny is about having the confidence to build on our strengths and shape our own future. Canada has the resources, talent, and ambition to succeed. Budget 2026 builds on those strengths by unlocking investment, building more at home, strengthening our energy and natural resource advantage, and helping Canadian businesses grow and compete on the world stage. That's how we will create good jobs, make life more affordable, and build a stronger, more resilient, and more united Canada for generations to come."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Quick facts

Despite a challenging global environment, the Canadian economy has shown resilience:
- Canada's economy grew by 3.3% in the second quarter, the fastest pace in the G7.
- The IMF expects Canada to be the second-fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2027.
- Canada is expected to maintain one of the lowest deficit-to-GDP ratios in the G7, signalling fiscal strength and the capacity to invest in the future.
- More Canadians are benefiting from labour market strength. Over the past year, Canada's economy has added 214,000 jobs in private employment, while the unemployment rate has fallen to 6.5%, near its lowest level in two years.
- Since the end of 2024, Canada has also created nearly twice as many jobs per capita as the United States.
- Rising productivity is helping lay the foundation for stronger wage growth and higher living standards, with productivity increasing by 1.2% over the last year, compared with average growth of just 0.1% following the pandemic.
- Foreign direct investment in Canada is at its highest level in nearly two decades. Canada attracted $98 billion in foreign investment in 2025 and has led the G7 in direct investment inflows per capita since early 2025.
- Canada has the lowest tax burden on new investment in the G7, encouraging businesses to invest, innovate, and grow in Canada.
- Nominal goods and services exports to countries other than the United States increased by $33 billion in 2025 and are on pace to rise by a further $57 billion in 2026, as more Canadian businesses reach new markets.
- Canada is the only G7 country with free trade agreements with every other G7 member. Through 15 agreements in force covering 51 countries, Canadian businesses already have preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers and economies representing two thirds of global GDP.
- Measures to make life more affordable are working. The share of household income needed to cover housing costs has fallen by roughly a quarter, asking rents have dropped for two consecutive years, and the average cost of child care has fallen around 30% nationwide since 2019.

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SOURCE Transport Canada - Ottawa