Budget offers little new relief for middle-income Canadians struggling with costs

OTTAWA — The latest federal budget promises billions of dollars in affordability relief, but middle-income Canadians struggling with the cost of living may find little new immediate help in the spending plan.

While Ottawa earmarked fresh assistance for lower-income households in Budget 2026, families with earnings above income-tested thresholds may be iced out.

For example, the budget offers a one-time grocery benefit top-up of up to $339 for singles and $679 for a couple with two children, but the payments are phased out as household incomes rise.

The budget also proposes expanding the Canada Workers Benefit for low-income workers, increasing maximum annual payments by $150 to $1,859 for individuals and by $200 to $3,143 for families.