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?

Knowledge Bureau is proud to introduce new micro-credentials in Small Business Services through a new CE Mastery Program, designed to give business owners and their teams the financial confidence and knowledge needed to drive better outcomes — both in the business and in life.

The Knowledge Bureau News Network was vibrant last month, especially in the Knowledge Bureau Report Poll. Over 98% of readers who answered overwhelmingly were in favor of tax reforms and they had some great comments as well. Take a look:

Almost 100 years ago, notorious gangster Al Capone was finally caught in 1924 – on tax evasion charges. His “crime boss” days came to an abrupt end when he was imprisoned. Earning illegal income, it turned out, was taxable. That’s true in Canada as well. As tax professional what’s your process for uncovering and reporting this income? Consider the following:

Hudson's Bay has received a judge’s permission to auction off 4,400 artifacts and art pieces which includes the 355-year-old royal charter that launched the company.  Did you know that the buyer may qualify for a little-known donation tax credit if that property is subsequently donated to an institution of public authority designated by the Minister of Canadian Heritage?  This opportunity in fact should be incorporated as part of the high value professional discussions astute tax and financial pros can have with their clients in possession of such treasures. 

In a rapidly evolving tax and estate planning landscape, one topic has stood out for its complexity and controversy: Bare Trusts. These once quietly used tools for holding family cottages, minimizing probate, or preserving privacy have now found themselves under the microscope of new CRA reporting requirements.

Small businesses remain the cornerstone of the Canadian economy, accounting for 98% of all employer businesses and employing over two-thirds of the private labour force, according to Statistics Canada. Yet, in today’s volatile economic climate, these businesses face growing challenges: persistent inflation, a high cost of borrowing, and significant workforce shortages. For many owner-managers, the need to build scalable, resilient enterprises has never been more urgent. Today’s small business owners need more than just technical advice—they need leadership, clarity, and vision.