New support available today to make life more affordable for Canadians
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April 1, 2023
Montréal, Quebec
Across the country, families are struggling with the rising cost of living. The Government of Canada is providing targeted support to those who need it most, and we are going to keep delivering much-needed relief to the middle class and people working hard to join it.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today highlighted various federal initiatives that will help make life more affordable for Canadians today.
As of today:
- The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 to $16.65 per hour, to keep pace with inflation;
- Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, including those currently being repaid, become permanently interest-free;
- Financial institutions can be able to start offering the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account, to help Canadians save up to $40,000 tax-free for their first home;
- Quarterly Climate Action Incentive payments increase for people in provinces where the federal price on pollution currently applies;
- Eligible low and median income homeowners can receive up to $10,000 toward a new energy efficient heat pump through the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.
These newly available support measures build on a wide range of other investments and initiatives from the federal government to put more money back in the pockets of Canadians. These include doubling the GST Credit for six months, providing dental care for more than 250,000 kids, and delivering a one-time tax-free payment of $500 for low-income renters.
Earlier this week, we released Budget 2023—A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future, which lays out our plan to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more secure Canadian economy for everyone.
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“From creating the Canada Child Benefit, which puts more money in the pockets of nine out of 10 families, to providing dental coverage for kids and making housing more affordable, our government has always been focused on putting more money back in the pockets of Canadians. The changes announced today will continue to deliver much-needed relief now.”
Quick Facts
- The federal government already provided increased support for students by temporarily doubling Canada Student Grants until July 2023. By permanently waiving interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, an average student loan borrower will save $520 per year, based on current interest rates. New enhancements proposed in Budget 2023 will allow students to access up to $14,400 in federal support for the upcoming school year – an increase of $1,260.
- Introduced in Budget 2022, the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account works like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), offering contributions that are tax-deductible, with withdrawals to purchase a first home – including investment income – being non-taxable, like a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).
- Direct proceeds from the federal pollution pricing system are returned to the jurisdictions where they were collected. Proceeds from the federal fuel charge are returned to Canadians through Climate Action Incentive payments. These payments mean about eight out of 10 families receive more money back than they pay under this system. This year a family of four can expect to receive the following quarterly payments:
- $386 in Alberta, $264 in Manitoba, $244 in Ontario, $340 in Saskatchewan, $328 in Newfoundland and Labrador, $248 in Nova Scotia, and $240 in Prince Edward Island.
- Since the federal fuel charge will only come into effect as of July 1, 2023, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, residents of these provinces will receive three equal quarterly payments this fiscal year instead of four but will receive four payments in the following year.
- Heat pumps are one of the best ways for homeowners to get off home heating oil – saving money on energy bills and fighting climate change in the process. When compared with other electric home heating sources, they are also two to three times more efficient. On average, homeowners who switch from oil to cold-climate heat pumps to heat and cool their homes save between $1,500 and $4,700 per year on home energy bills.
- With these and other previously or newly announced federal government initiatives, here are some examples of how we are making life more affordable for Canadians across the country this year:
- A family with one child in Ontario, with income of $85,000, in 2023 could benefit from about $11,300 as a result of reduced child care costs, the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Dental Benefit, tax relief from an increased Basic Personal Amount, and increased Climate Action Incentive payments.
- A single parent with one child in Newfoundland and Labrador, with income of $40,000 in 2023, could benefit from $7,300 as a result of reduced child care costs, the Canada Child Benefit, enhancements to the Canada Workers Benefit, the Canada Dental Benefit, the proposed Grocery Rebate, tax relief from an increased Basic Personal Amount, and increased Climate Action Incentive payments.
- A 76-year-old senior in British Columbia with a maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) entitlement could receive more than $2,000 in additional support in 2023, thanks to the proposed Grocery Rebate, the GIS top-up increase for single seniors from 2016, and the increase in the Old Age Security pension for seniors aged 75 and older.
- A low-income student in Manitoba could receive more than $5,600 in additional support in 2023 thanks to proposed enhancements to Canada Student Grants and Canada Student Loans, the proposed Grocery Rebate, and increased Climate Action Incentive payments. If they have a disability or dependents, they could receive an additional $12,800 in specialized student grants, plus an extra $640 per dependent. After graduating, all of their federal student loans will be interest-free, with repayment assistance if their income is below $40,000 per year.
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Associated Links
- Government of Canada releases Budget 2023
- Budget 2023—A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future
- Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 on April 1
- Student aid
- First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
- Climate action incentive payment
March 31, 2023
Moncton, New Brunswick
Everyone should be able to put good food on their tables and see a dentist when they need to. But many Canadians are struggling with the impacts of global inflation, which is making the cost of living a real challenge. That’s why we acted last year to provide targeted support to those who need it most – and Budget 2023 continues to deliver much-needed relief.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today highlighted how Budget 2023—A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future will help people get the dental care they need and make life more affordable for Canadians.
By the end of this year, we will begin rolling out the Canadian Dental Care Plan. The plan will be fully implemented by 2025, providing dental coverage for up to nine million Canadians. This was supported by an investment in Budget 2023 of $13 billion over five years starting in 2023-24, and $4.4 billion in ongoing, permanent funding. These investments build on the launch of the Canada Dental Benefit for kids last year, which has already helped more than 250,000 kids across Canada get the dental care they need and deserve.
To deliver better health care for Canadians, the federal government is also increasing health investments by more than $198 billion over 10 years and working with the provinces and territories to get people access to family health care teams, clear backlogs, and support front-line health care workers.
Budget 2023 lays out our plan to continue to be there for people when they need it most, make life more affordable, and build a healthy future for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
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“No one should have to choose between taking care of their teeth and paying their bills. Budget 2023 will help millions of Canadians see a dentist and provide much-needed relief for families.”
Quick Facts
- In 2023, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will become available to uninsured Canadians under 18, persons with disabilities, and seniors who have an annual family income of less than $90,000. There will be no co-pays for those with an annual family income under $70,000. By 2025, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will be fully implemented to cover all uninsured Canadians with an annual family income under $90,000.
- Budget 2023 also proposes to invest:
- $250 million over three years, starting in 2025-26, and $75 million ongoing to establish an Oral Health Access Fund, which will address oral health gaps among vulnerable populations and reduce identified barriers to accessing dental care, including in rural and remote communities, complementing the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
- $23.1 million over two years, starting in 2023-24, to collect data on oral health and dental care access in Canada and help the government’s ability to support those who need it most through the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
- To make life more affordable while global inflation drove up the cost of living, the government has made significant investments and implemented key initiatives in the past year alone, including:
- Doubling the Goods and Services Tax Credit (GSTC) for six months to help 11 million individuals and families with the rising cost of living – with couples with two children receiving up to an extra $467 and seniors receiving an extra $225 on average;
- Launching the Canada Dental Benefit, which provides up to $1,300 over two years to help get kids the dental care they need;
- Providing low-income renters with $500 to make life more affordable;
- Enhancing the Canada Workers Benefit for our lowest-paid – and often most essential – workers, to provide up to $1,428 for a single worker without children, up to $2,461 to a family, and an additional $737 for workers with disabilities;
- Increasing Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for seniors age 75 and older by 10 per cent as of July 2022, which is providing more than $800 in additional support to full pensioners; and
- Delivering $10-a-day child care or reducing child care fees by at least 50 per cent on average in every province and territory, and strengthening the child care system in Quebec with more child care spaces.
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Associated Links
- Government of Canada releases Budget 2023
- Budget 2023—A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future
- Canada’s health care system
- Delivering dental care for children now
- Canada Dental Benefit
March 30, 2023
Truro, Nova Scotia
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the Final Report from the Mass Casualty Commission:
“Nearly three years ago, the lives of Nova Scotians were forever changed by a brutal and senseless attack. Today is about those whose lives were taken too soon and their loved ones, whose pain, trauma, and heartbreaking loss will never truly go away. To the families, to the communities, and to Nova Scotians, Canadians stand with you.
“I listened today as the Final Report from the Mass Casualty Commission was presented, and I thank the commissioners for their work. The Government of Canada will carefully review and respond to the recommendations under federal jurisdiction. We remain deeply committed to working with the people and the communities affected to make our communities safer places to live.
“We will never forget the 22 people, including a woman who was expecting a child, whose lives were cut short on one of the darkest days in Canadian history. I hope today’s report is one of the many steps toward ensuring a tragedy like this never happens again.”
March 29, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Democracy is facing unprecedented challenges around the world. Since the first Summit for Democracy, in December 2021, we have witnessed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – one of the greatest threats to democracy of our time – and rising authoritarianism, foreign interference, and increased polarization. But what we have also seen since the last Summit is the collective resolve of the democratic world to come together to protect our shared values and build a better future.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to building strong democracies and resilient institutions at the second Summit for Democracy, which was co-hosted by the United States of America, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Zambia.
Strong democracies do not happen by accident, and they do not continue without effort. Today, Prime Minister Trudeau announced over $50 million for initiatives that promote and protect democracy at home and abroad.
Upholding human rights is a fundamental part of democracy. That is why this funding includes over $28 million to support the human rights of marginalized communities – particularly women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, Indigenous Peoples, and religious minorities – by improving inclusion and representation in democratic processes, including in the digital space.
During the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted Canada’s achievements and significant progress on our 35 domestic and international commitments from last Summit to advance democracy, counter authoritarianism and corruption, and protect human rights both at home and abroad.
Canada has completed many of these commitments, including:
- Implementing the Plan to Protect Canada’s Democracy;
- Successfully chairing the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to promote free, fair, and inclusive elections globally, and the Freedom Online Coalition which helped defend internet freedom and addressed internet shutdowns perpetrated by Iran;
- Co-chairing the Media Freedom Coalition to promote free and independent media worldwide;
- Supporting the OGP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for 2022 to fund initiatives that lead to increasing government transparency and improving accountability; and
- Launching the first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan in Canada.
We remain focused on ongoing commitments from engaging youth and leading the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism which fights misinformation and disinformation, to supporting media freedom and advancing responsible business conduct for Canadian companies operating abroad.
Canada’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law is unwavering. We will continue to take action, at home and abroad, to promote and protect these fundamental principles.
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“Today, we joined our international partners in reaffirming our commitment to strengthening democracy. The democracies we are a part of didn’t happen by accident, and they won’t endure without effort. But by continuing to work together, and continuing to show people that their institutions can deliver for them, we can strengthen democracies around the world and create a more prosperous and peaceful world for everyone.”
Quick Facts
- During the Summit, the Prime Minister endorsed the Declaration of the Summit for Democracy, a joint leaders’ statement reflecting summit participants’ support for defending and strengthening democracy, promoting respect for human rights, advancing technology for democracy, and fighting corruption.
- Discussions between leaders at the Summit for Democracy 2023 focused on five themes, each led by a regional co-host:
- Democracy Delivering Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity (Republic of Korea)
- Democracy Delivering Justice for All (Netherlands)
- Democracy Delivering Strong Institutions (Zambia)
- Democracy Delivering on Global Challenges (United States)
- Democracy Delivering Inclusion and Equality (Costa Rica)
- The Prime Minister participated in the virtual plenary session hosted by the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, on the topic of inclusion and equality. During this session, he shared Canada’s approach and experience on inclusion and diversity, both at home and through our international engagement, and highlighted how democracies can better deliver respect for human rights, equality, and racial justice for all people.
- The Prime Minister delivered Canada’s pre-recorded national statement providing an update on Canada’s progress against a subset of our 35 commitments made in 2021.
- Minister Joly will deliver pre-recorded remarks that will kick off the marquee event on media freedom in the Netherlands.
- Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will share pre-recorded remarks on Canada’s efforts to promote youth political participation both at home and internationally, during a ministerial discussion hosted by Costa Rica.
- In 2021-22, Canada’s investments in international democracy programming totaled $157 million, including Ukraine ($9M), Honduras ($7M), and Myanmar ($5M).
- Canada promotes and protects democracy and human rights through multilateral engagement and advocacy at the G7, the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Commonwealth, and within La Francophonie. Our efforts also include active participation in multi-stakeholder forums such as the Community of Democracies, the Media Freedom Coalition, the Freedom Online Coalition, and International IDEA. Additionally, Canada upholds democracy around the world through international assistance and capacity-building programmes and through our network of missions abroad.
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- Backgrounder: Canada announces over $50 million in funding during second Summit for Democracy
- Summit for Democracy 2021 Submission and Commitments: Canada
Associated Links
March 30, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.
The two leaders discussed the importance of improving access to concessional financing for countries vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They agreed to work together to address today’s global financing needs of developing countries through innovative and inclusive solutions. They also committed to work jointly to advance efforts to reform the international financing system. This would ensure equitable access to resources needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Mottley expressed concern over the deteriorating security in Haiti and the need to help address the political, security, and humanitarian crises in the country. They emphasized the importance of CARICOM’s role in supporting an inclusive political dialogue and recommitted to working together to help address the urgent needs of the Haitian people.
The leaders also spoke about their roles as co-chairs of the United Nations Secretary-General’s SDG Advocates group and next steps to advance priorities and to ensure continued progress.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Mottley agreed to continue to work closely together.
Associated Links
- Canada-Barbados relations
- Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean
- Prime Minister strengthens ties with the Caribbean, announces new support for the Haitian people
- 2023 SDG Summit
March 30, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Abinader underscored the need to help address the ongoing crisis in Haiti and expressed concern over the worsening security conditions in the country. Both leaders stressed the need to hold accountable those who cultivate violence, corruption, and instability in Haiti.
Prime Minister Trudeau further reiterated the importance of a Haitian-led solution to the crisis and indicated that Canada is committed to supporting the Haitian National Police in its efforts to re-establish peace and security. The leaders expressed their desire for a return to stability in Haiti.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Abinader highlighted the importance of continued cooperation between Canada and the Dominican Republic and with the international community in support of Haiti.
