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Ottawa asking Canadians what they want to see in fall budget
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is looking for feedback from Canadians on job creation, defence spending, and fortifying the economy.
The minister launched pre-budget consultations Monday to gather information in preparation for the country’s new government’s first federal budget, set to be delivered in the fall.
The government says the consultations will focus on bringing costs down for Canadians.
Consultations can be done on the official government website here, and will run through to Aug. 28.
Champagne posted a video on X at around noon asking Canadians to “join the conversation.”
As we develop Budget 2025, we want to hear from you. Pre-budget consultations launch today, join the conversation.https://t.co/7uH9y6Kw2O pic.twitter.com/lKINYFYip6
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) ?? (@FP_Champagne) July 14, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been renewing his campaign message of spending less and investing more in recent weeks.
The Department of Finance Canada said in a release that the budget will deliver on the new government’s mandate to bring down costs, keep communities safe, diversify trade, and “to build one strong Canadian economy.”
“With a responsible fiscal plan – we will spend less, invest more, and build Canada as an economic force for decades to come,” reads the release.
Last week Champagne sent letters to ministers asking most to cut program spending at their departments by 7.5 per cent, starting next spring, ramping up to 15 per cent in three years.
The federal budget is usually tabled in the spring but is coming later than usual this year, prompting some concerns from fiscal critics about the pace of spending and the size of the deficit.
Champagne, along with Secretary of State Wayne Long, and Parliamentary Secretary Ryan Turnbull, will be meeting with stakeholders and individuals across the country as part of the pre-budget consultation process.
With files from The Canadian Press.
