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Budget offers little new relief for middle-income Canadians struggling with costs
Budget 2026 adds targeted aid for lower-income households, including a grocery top-up and a bigger Canada Workers Benefit, while leaving many middle-income families with little new help.
- The federal Budget 2026 promises billions in affordability relief, yet middle-income Canadians struggling with living costs find little new immediate help in the spending plan.
- Ottawa earmarked fresh assistance primarily for lower-income households, leaving families with earnings above income-tested thresholds excluded from the new measures.
- Expanding the Canada Workers Benefit, the budget increases maximum annual payments by $150 to $1,859 for individuals and $200 to $3,143 for families, plus a one-time grocery top-up of up to $339 for singles and $679 for a couple with two children.
- Government officials are banking on long-term economic growth to boost wages and purchasing power for middle-income Canadians facing rent, mortgage, and grocery cost pressures.
- Economists note that fostering business investment and productivity can improve living standards over time. Alexandre Laurin, vice-president and director of research at the C.D. Howe Institute, said "If you really want to make a dent in the standards of living and improve affordability for middle-income Canadians, you have to work on the economy.
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The Toronto Star+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
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
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources5
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 40%
C 60%
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