Spring Economic Statement: April 28, 2026

April 15, 2026: Ottawa, Ontario - Yesterday, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, announced that he will table the Spring Economic Update 2026 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. In the Spring Economic Update 2026, the government will provide an update on its plan to build the strongest economy in the G7, and outline additional actions taken to drive prosperity, play to Canada’s strengths, and support Canadians where and when they need it most.

Job numbers were on the upswing in Canada in April, according to the most recent Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. More employment was created last month in the areas of finance, insurance, real estate and leasing, business building and other support services. Overall, jobs numbers have increased 1.7% nationally since April, 2010 and unemployment is down slightly to 7.6%. Full-time employment is now back to October, 2008 levels for the first time since the recession. The good news is spread unevenly across the country, however. Part-time jobs in Ontario rose, driving the unemployment rate down to 7.9% with a 12 month employment gain of 2.4%. Newfoundland and Labrador saw increases in employment as well with its April unemployment rate dropping to 11.1% following a 12 month employment gain of 6.9% - the highest in Canada. Nova Scotia and Manitoba lost jobs in April. Data for tables from: Labour Force Characteristics by Province Tables 3 and 4 Statistics Canada, April, 2011   It is interesting to note that women age 55 and over benefitted from new jobs more than anyone in April, with an increase in employment of 7.9%. It will be interesting to see if the upward trend in employment in general continues, as some of April's job gains are due to temporary hiring for the election and census. ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES: Master Your Real Wealth

We are fortunate to live in this great country, which allows us to participate freely in democracy.  All parties and their candidates are to be congratulated!  With a majority government, the people and government of Canada can put their focus on important things over the next four yearsñ families, jobs, health and security to name a few ñ without the distraction of an imminent election call.  One of the first items on the agenda may be a reintroduction of the federal budget, which died with the election call.A review of key provisions follows, some of which will be discussed at the Knowledge Bureau's Post-Election Tax and Economic Review, to be held in Winnipeg on Friday, May 6, Calgary on Monday. We can expect to see the reintroduction of tax measures such as the Children's Arts Credit, Family Caregiver Credit and the Volunteer Firefighters Credit. New initiatives announced during the election to take effect when the deficit is eliminated will almost certainly be included ñ look for the doubling of the TFSA limit and the Children's Fitness Amount, as well as a tax credit for adult fitness. Also announced during the election, the Family Tax Cut will allow up to $50,000 of household income to be shared by a couple with children under the age of 18. Changes to curtail tax avoidance using RRSPs, charitable donations, Individual Pension Plans and Employee Stock Options were introduced in the 2011 budget ñ no doubt they will reappear. Pooled Retirement Pension Plans ñ first unveiled in December, 2010 ñ may well be included with other measures to assist those saving for retirement. Easing of rules for RESP beneficiaries who are siblings, and further access to student loans and loan forgiveness, tuition and education credits will benefit students and young workers. Small business may see the temporry Hiring Credit reintroduced along with the extention of accelerated CCA rates for equipment and machinery. Some seniors could see their Guaranteed Income Supplement boosted and RDSP owners with shortened life expectancy can look for relief to early withdrawal rules. Financial literacy and consumer protection measures were highlighted in the March, 2011 budget - we hope to see that and even more opportunities for Canadians to engage in financial education.  Take a deep breath ñ there are sure to be lots of tax and financial changes ahead!   Join us at one of our VIP Breakfasts for a Post-Election Tax & Economic Overview.  

Around the world communities are grappling with record-setting natural disasters. The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, flooding in the North American mid-west and killer storms in the U.S. are recent examples. It is hard to imagine the disruption to daily routines endured by those who survived the devastation. Once the basics of survival are taken care of, how do victims of these events begin to deal with mundane tasks such as income tax filing? In Canada, there are Taxpayer Relief Provisions available to taxpayers affected by natural disasters. On April 28th, CRA announced that those who have been directly impacted by spring flooding or natural disasters outside of Canada, and those who are participating in relief efforts, may apply for taxpayer relief if they are unable to fulfill their income tax obligations by the May 2, 2011 deadline. Those who may have other deadlines, such as business owners and the self-employed, are included as well. Form RC4288, Request for Taxpayer Relief, should be submitted by anyone who is not able to complete tax requirements by his or her deadline. This may allow interest and/or penalties to be waived under appropriate circumstances. CRA encourages taxpayers to register for e-services so that they are able to access information and make payments online when it is difficult to physically access their financial institutions.   ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:  Investment Strategies in Charitable Giving      

Evelyn Jacks, President of the Knowledge Bureau,   Cordially Invites You To   A VIP BREAKFAST                        Please Join Us For An Important Update on Current Issues:                                             Post-Election Tax & Economic Overview                                    Financial Literacy: Your Role as Financial Educator                          Including Strategy & Process in Your Strategic Education Plans                                             Knowledge Bureau CE Credits: 1 hour                                                     DATES & LOCATIONS       May 6th WINNIPEG 7:45-9:00 am Knowledge Bureau Offices ñ 187 St. Mary's Rd                          May 9th CALGARY 7:45-9:00 am The Petroleum Club                            May11th VANCOUVER 7:45-9:00 am Terminal City Club                                            May 18th TORONTO 7:45-9:00 am The National Club                   Our educational consultants will be available to discuss new options                                       for professional development only from:                                                      RSVP By May 4th, 2011                                            Suzanne@knowledgebureau.com                                                         (204) 953-4767

By this time next week we will know the outcome of the federal election on May 2, and the personal tax filing deadline, which occurs at midnight May 2nd, will have passed.  Most Canadians will have filed on time to avoid interest and penalties on balances due, and many will be adjusting prior filed returns for errors or omissions.  Last week, CRA released a revised T1ADJ form for those purposes.  However, the vast majority of taxpayers will be focused on a refund for the current year, so here are some tips to help you spend it wisely: 1. Leverage Your Tax Refund Resist the temptation to buy yet another flat-screen TV. Now is the time to make the commitment to your RRSP, your Tax Free Savings Account and paying down your consumer debt. But what comes first? This may be a question for tax advisors, financial advisors and their clients to review together. Your RRSP will reduce your net income, the figure used to determine the size of clawback to refundable tax credits like the Child Tax Benefit or GST Credit and social benefits like the Old Age Security or Employment Insurance. It will also increase non-refundable tax credits for 2012, based on net income: Age Amount, Spouse Amount and Medical Expenses to name a few. Only 6% of Canadians maximize their RRSP room each year. Find out what you missed out on by not making the contribution last year. Then find out just how effective your RRSP savings will be in helping you build wealth this year. 2. Catch up on late-filed returns. Whatever your reason for missing your tax filing deadline, again and again ó too busy, afraid you'll owe, too disorganized ó make it your plan to catch up, especially if the government owes you a refund.  It doesn't make sense to give the government an interest-free loan which could instead be working for you invested in a TFSA, RRSP or other savings account. Failing to file tax returns also causes other misses with your tax-efficient investment strategies: RRSP room is not calculated for the missed years, capital losses are not reported and refundable tax credits to which you are entitled languish for your attention in government coffers. 3. Know What's Coming. There is a lot we know about your tax advantages for the current tax year, 2011. For example, provincial budgets have recently been tabled in all provinces and territories, and we also know the federal tax brackets and rates, and the indexed amounts for non-refundable tax credits. In addition, the last federal budget introduced changes to tax law that were shelved for now, but it would not be surprising to see many of the provisions re-introduced in the future. As a minimum, do consider whether you can reduce withholding taxes as a result of your tax reporting in 2010, and in addition, review whether instalment payments will be necessary for the rest of 2011.  If not, you'll be able to invest the difference, or pay down debt, both of which would be to your fiscal advantage. For a post-tax season, post-election review of those provisions, do join the Knowledge Bureau in Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto for a VIP breakfast event. For more information and to register, please see our KB Community page! ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES: Master Your Taxes  

Financial education is alive and well in two provinces ñManitoba and Quebec-- let's spread the word! On April 18th the Manitoba Securities Commission launched a financial literacy initiative targeted at women. Entitled I'm Worth It , this knowledge initiative features videos, stories, ideas and strategies for independent financial management that will help women to gain control of their finances. Materials are available in French and English and there is no cost. You go, Manitoba! In Quebec, the Autorité des marchés financiers announced $750,000 in funding on April 18th for projects through its Education and Good Governance Fund. These initiatives include funding for: Universities for course development, research and designing on-line financial education tools The Jamaican Canadian Community Women's League of Montreal for its Dollars Make Sense Leadership Project for youth Elementary school teachers for The ABCs of Finance, an on-line financial education learning and evaluation tool Schools and youth centres to continue and improve the Best Ads Awards, designed to teach 13-17 year olds critical thinking when it comes to advertising Rosemont College, a financial literacy institution that will be created to deliver financial training and education I'm Up to my Neck in Debt, a credit debt and awareness campaign that will be revised to focus on the 30-45 year old demographic ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESSOURCES: EverGreen Explanatory Notes