Fall Federal Budget: Will Spending Be Cut?

Canada has historically presented an annual budget since Confederation in 1867, even through periods like World Wars and the Great Depression, but we have recently experienced the longest period without a full federal budget in our history. By the time the next one is brought down, expected in October 2025, it will have been 18 months since the controversial April 2024 budget which introduced the doomed capital gains inclusion rate hikes. What can we expect?

Canada’s tax and financial pros weighed in enthusiastically on last month’s two-part Knowledge Bureau Report Opinion Poll in which we asked: "Do you believe Canada’s tax system based on self-assessment, has suffered under recent changes at CRA and by Finance Canada?" 71% said yes. Part 2 was this question: "If so, what is the one wish you have for tax reform?" The responses were very interesting:

Canada’s income gap is growing. That much is true, but that one sentence fails to tell the whole story. There is much more to the issue of increasing disposable income in Canada, especially in volatile, recessionary times. In fact, to close the income gap it’s most important to focus on the wealth gap. That means helping average people save more, sooner. That brings purpose and urgency to the proactive conversations that should be initiated this fall by professionally trained financial advisors. Consider the following:

Last month CRA posted a news release that they are making it easier for newcomers to apply for benefit and credit payments online. Unfortunately, the process is anything but easy. This presents a great opportunity for tax and financial professionals to help and in the process, start a highly valued new relationship with new Canadians.

When choosing an online education provider in tax, bookkeeping, or financial services, it’s important to look beyond course content alone. At Knowledge Bureau, we offer a more structured, supportive, and applied learning experience—designed to help professionals strengthen their careers and deliver measurable value to clients. Here’s how each part of the Knowledge Bureau experience supports your professional growth:

Audit activity is on the rise—and the stakes are higher than ever. With a federal target to collect $3.75 billion through increased fines and penalties, along with widespread T-slip errors and confusion around capital gains, tax audits are expected to surge in 2025.Tax and financial advisors must be prepared to respond. Join us at the CE Savvy Summit: Audit Defence on September 17 for a deep dive into the latest audit trends, case studies, and defence strategies. Learn directly from leading experts and get practical tools to better protect your clients. Register by September 10 to take advantage of early-bird rates. Special pricing available for Diploma and Team member registrations.

This fall, step out of the day-to-day and into a setting designed to inspire forward thinking and fresh perspective. Join us November 23–26 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the Acuity 2025 Conference for Distinguished Advisors, where leaders, educators, and advisors gather to explore what it takes to thrive in a fast-changing financial landscape. Space is limited, and flight prices are increasing. To join the experience, earn CE/CPD credits, stay ahead of critical changes, and return to your practice energized and future-focused, Acuity 2025 is your landing spot.