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Explore our Budget 2026 analysis

Biggest changes in federal spending plans

Every year each federal department publishes a Departmental Plan with planned spending for each of its programs for the next three years. When the next plan comes out, the forecast for the same year has often moved. This page ranks programs by how much their forecast for the same fiscal year changed between plans (2017-18 to 2026-27).

Programs are matched across plans by their Program Inventory code, which stays the same when a program is renamed. Programs that are new or discontinued have nothing to compare and are listed in the program directory. Amounts are as published, not adjusted for inflation. Click an amount to open its source dataset.

Programs: planned spending for the same year, plan against plan

1034 programs forecast 2026-27 in both the 2024-25 and 2026-27 Departmental Plans. Net change across them: +$85.3B.

#Program2024-25 plan2026-27 planChange%Every plan's forecast
1Fiscal Arrangements with Provinces and Territories
Department of Finance Canada
$42.5B$100B+$57.9B+136%2024-25: $42.5B2025-26: $42.8B2026-27: $100B
2Benefits
Canada Revenue Agency
$14.9B$660M−$14.2B−96%2024-25: $14.9B2025-26: $674M2026-27: $660M
3Market Debt and Foreign Reserves Management
Department of Finance Canada
$49.7B$53.8B+$4.1B+8.3%2024-25: $49.7B2025-26: $52B2026-27: $53.8B
4Healthy People and Communities
Health Canada
$3.93B$197M−$3.73B−95%2024-25: $3.93B2025-26: $3.92B2026-27: $197M
5Child and Family Services
Department of Indigenous Services
$2.36B$5.18B+$2.83B+120%2024-25: $2.36B2025-26: $4.51B2026-27: $5.18B
6Old Age Security
Employment and Social Development Canada
$91.6B$89.2B−$2.37B−2.6%2024-25: $91.6B2025-26: $90.4B2026-27: $89.2B
7Global Engagement
National Defence
$664M$2.94B+$2.28B+344%2024-25: $664M2025-26: $1.01B2026-27: $2.94B
8Equipment Support
National Defence
$4.18B$6.33B+$2.15B+51%2024-25: $4.18B2025-26: $5.32B2026-27: $6.33B
9Community Infrastructure
Department of Indigenous Services
$2.79B$4.66B+$1.87B+67%2024-25: $2.79B2025-26: $3.78B2026-27: $4.66B
10Economic Development Policy
Department of Finance Canada
$5.31B$3.52B−$1.79B−34%2024-25: $5.31B2025-26: $3.51B2026-27: $3.52B
11Aerospace Equipment Acquisition
National Defence · renamed
$5.36B$7.1B+$1.74B+33%2024-25: $5.36B2025-26: $5.41B2026-27: $7.1B
12Disability Benefits
Veterans Affairs Canada
$2.43B$4.1B+$1.67B+69%2024-25: $2.43B2025-26: $2.46B2026-27: $4.1B
13Defence Infrastructure Construction, Recapitalization and Investment
National Defence
$1.02B$2.36B+$1.34B+132%2024-25: $1.02B2025-26: $1.35B2026-27: $2.36B
14Maritime Equipment Acquisition
National Defence
$2.48B$3.81B+$1.33B+54%2024-25: $2.48B2025-26: $2.81B2026-27: $3.81B
15Responsive Health Care Systems
Health Canada
$4.45B$5.76B+$1.31B+29%2024-25: $4.45B2025-26: $5.72B2026-27: $5.76B
16Expenditure Data, Analysis, Results, and Reviews
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat · renamed
$5.12B$6.4B+$1.28B+25%2024-25: $5.12B2025-26: $5.37B2026-27: $6.4B
17International Operations
National Defence
$233M$1.35B+$1.12B+480%2024-25: $233M2025-26: $218M2026-27: $1.35B
18Defence Infrastructure Maintenance, Support and Operations
National Defence
$1.35B$2.44B+$1.09B+81%2024-25: $1.35B2025-26: $1.53B2026-27: $2.44B
19Emergency Response/Recovery
Public Safety Canada
$125M$1.14B+$1.02B+814%2024-25: $125M2025-26: $125M2026-27: $1.14B
20Business Innovation
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada · renamed
$5.19B$6.14B+$952M+18%2024-25: $5.19B2025-26: $5.48B2026-27: $6.14B
21National Trade Corridors
Transport Canada
$573M$1.49B+$916M+160%2024-25: $573M2025-26: $919M2026-27: $1.49B
22Public Service Employer Payments
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
$4.13B$5.03B+$901M+22%2024-25: $4.13B2025-26: $4.13B2026-27: $5.03B
23Public Health and Disease Prevention
Department of Indigenous Services · renamed
$1.16B$267M−$894M−77%2024-25: $1.16B2025-26: $1.23B2026-27: $267M
24Jordan's Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative
Department of Indigenous Services
$784M$1.68B+$892M+114%2024-25: $784M2025-26: $784M2026-27: $1.68B
25Federal Accommodation and Infrastructure
Public Services and Procurement Canada
$2.53B$3.35B+$823M+33%2024-25: $2.53B2025-26: $3.3B2026-27: $3.35B
26Asylum
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
$185M$888M+$703M+381%2024-25: $185M2025-26: $474M2026-27: $888M
27Early Learning and Child Care
Employment and Social Development Canada · renamed
$8.61B$9.28B+$678M+7.9%2024-25: $8.61B2025-26: $8.61B2026-27: $9.28B
28Federal Pay Administration
Public Services and Procurement Canada
$169M$822M+$652M+385%2024-25: $169M2025-26: $825M2026-27: $822M
29Management of Treaties and Agreements
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada · renamed
$1.66B$2.26B+$606M+37%2024-25: $1.66B2025-26: $2.13B2026-27: $2.26B
30Parliament Hill and Surroundings
Public Services and Procurement Canada
$263M$838M+$575M+218%2024-25: $263M2025-26: $730M2026-27: $838M
31Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loan
Employment and Social Development Canada · renamed
$2.93B$3.49B+$563M+19%2024-25: $2.93B2025-26: $3.06B2026-27: $3.49B
32Space Exploration
Canadian Space Agency
$123M$645M+$522M+423%2024-25: $123M2025-26: $576M2026-27: $645M
33Defence Team Management
National Defence
$1.88B$2.4B+$519M+28%2024-25: $1.88B2025-26: $1.99B2026-27: $2.4B
34Institutional Management and Support
Correctional Service Canada
$143M$650M+$507M+355%2024-25: $143M2025-26: $272M2026-27: $650M
35Science, Technology and Innovation
National Defence · renamed
$372M$868M+$497M+134%2024-25: $372M2025-26: $830M2026-27: $868M
36Vaccination
Public Health Agency of Canada · renamed
$491M$31.3M−$460M−94%2024-25: $491M2025-26: $497M2026-27: $31.3M
37Climate Change and Clean Air
Transport Canada
$74.9M$524M+$449M+599%2024-25: $74.9M2025-26: $74M2026-27: $524M
38Science and Research
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada · renamed
$728M$1.14B+$409M+56%2024-25: $728M2025-26: $913M2026-27: $1.14B
39Youth Employment and Skills Strategy
Employment and Social Development Canada · renamed
$251M$656M+$405M+161%2024-25: $251M2025-26: $252M2026-27: $656M
40Health Systems Support
Department of Indigenous Services
$776M$1.15B+$378M+49%2024-25: $776M2025-26: $1.15B2026-27: $1.15B
41Total Health Care
National Defence
$844M$1.22B+$373M+44%2024-25: $844M2025-26: $859M2026-27: $1.22B
42Ready Air and Space Forces
National Defence
$2.05B$2.41B+$358M+17%2024-25: $2.05B2025-26: $1.97B2026-27: $2.41B
43Ready Land Forces
National Defence
$2.53B$2.83B+$298M+12%2024-25: $2.53B2025-26: $2.5B2026-27: $2.83B
44Student Work Placement Program
Employment and Social Development Canada · renamed
$352K$282M+$282M+80007%2024-25: $352K2025-26: $02026-27: $282M
45Ready Naval Forces
National Defence
$1.28B$1.56B+$281M+22%2024-25: $1.28B2025-26: $1.34B2026-27: $1.56B
46Operations in North America
National Defence
$23.1M$302M+$279M+1211%2024-25: $23.1M2025-26: $16.3M2026-27: $302M
47Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative
Employment and Social Development Canada · renamed
$596M$324M−$272M−46%2024-25: $596M2025-26: $420M2026-27: $324M
48Electricity Resources
Natural Resources Canada
$162M$429M+$267M+164%2024-25: $162M2025-26: $518M2026-27: $429M
49Health Care Benefits
Veterans Affairs Canada
$872M$1.13B+$261M+30%2024-25: $872M2025-26: $874M2026-27: $1.13B
50Income Assistance
Department of Indigenous Services
$1.35B$1.59B+$245M+18%2024-25: $1.35B2025-26: $1.55B2026-27: $1.59B

Budget measures: cost profiles that changed between budgets

Each budget costs its new measures for six fiscal years, in its chapter tables and in Annex 1's list of policy actions since the last update. When a measure reappears in a later budget (re-profiled, extended or re-announced), this compares the two cost profiles over the years both budgets cover. Measures are matched by title, with the department as a check; each match shows its confidence and both budget pages, so it can be verified. Later budgets often cost only the new money, so a change here is not necessarily a cut or an increase in the program.

Measure (earlier budget → later budget)Years comparedEarlier costLater costChangeMatch
Budget 2023, p. 246: (Net) Fiscal Impact of Non-Announced Measures
Budget 2024, p. 407: (Net) Fiscal Impact of Non-Announced Measures
2023-24 – 2027-28-$4,891M$494M+$5,385MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 199: Supporting First Nations Children Through Jordan’s Principle
Budget 2023, p. 164: Supporting First Nations Children – Jordan’s Principle
2022-23 – 2026-27$3,865M$171M-$3,694MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 129: Investment Tax Credit for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage
Budget 2023, p. 126: Enhancing the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Investment Tax Credit
Department of Finance Canada
2022-23 – 2026-27$2,600M$346M-$2,254MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 273: (Net) Fiscal Impact of Non-Announced Measures Since Budget 2021
Budget 2023, p. 246: (Net) Fiscal Impact of Non-Announced Measures
2022-23 – 2026-27-$2,131M-$114M+$2,017MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 168: Healthcare Support for Asylum Claimants and Refugees
Budget 2025, p. 282: Healthcare Support for Asylum Claimants and Refugees
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2024-25 – 2027-28$0M$1,009M+$1,009MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 272: Global Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Budget 2024, p. 406: Global Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Global Affairs Canada
2023-24 – 2026-27-$157M$560M+$717MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 276: Healthcare Support for Asylum Claimants and Refugees
Budget 2025, p. 282: Healthcare Support for Asylum Claimants and Refugees
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2024-25 – 2028-29$411M$1,009M+$598MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 246: Obligations for Federal Public Sector Employee Benefit Plans
Budget 2025, p. 285: Obligations for Federal Public Sector Employee Benefit Plans
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
2024-25 – 2027-28$0M$596M+$596MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 407: Obligations for Federal Public Sector Employee Benefit Plans
Budget 2025, p. 285: Obligations for Federal Public Sector Employee Benefit Plans
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
2024-25 – 2028-29$0M$596M+$596MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 369: Employment Insurance Revenues for Measures Included in Budget 2024
Budget 2025, p. 286: Employment Insurance Revenues for Measures Included in Budget 2025
Employment and Social Development Canada
2024-25 – 2028-29-$1,182M-$1,656M-$474MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 406: Global Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Budget 2025, p. 285: Global Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Global Affairs Canada
2024-25 – 2028-29$721M$341M-$380MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 276: Supporting Federal Correctional Institutions
Budget 2025, p. 281: Supporting Federal Correctional Institutions
Correctional Service Canada
2024-25 – 2028-29$376M$47M-$329MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 272: Global Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Budget 2025, p. 285: Global Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Global Affairs Canada
2024-25 – 2026-27-$117M$203M+$320MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 244: Supporting the RCMP’s Contract Policing Program
Budget 2024, p. 406: RCMP Contract Policing Program
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
2023-24 – 2027-28$8M$217M+$209MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 246: Price and Volume Protection for Federal Real Property
Budget 2024, p. 407: Price and Volume Protection for Federal Real Property
Public Services and Procurement Canada
2023-24 – 2027-28$275M$84M-$191MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 246: Obligations for Federal Public Sector Employee Benefit Plans
Budget 2024, p. 407: Obligations for Federal Public Sector Employee Benefit Plans
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
2023-24 – 2027-28$0M$179M+$179MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 405: Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Budget 2025, p. 285: Veterans Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Veterans Affairs Canada
2024-25 – 2028-29$2M$170M+$168MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 199: First Nations Elementary and Secondary Education
Budget 2024, p. 406: First Nations Elementary and Secondary Education
Department of Indigenous Services
2023-24 – 2026-27$212M$55M-$157MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 406: First Nations Elementary and Secondary Education
Budget 2025, p. 284: Funding for First Nations Elementary and Secondary Education
Department of Indigenous Services
2024-25 – 2028-29$0M$155M+$155MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 168: Supporting Federal Correctional Institutions
Budget 2024, p. 276: Supporting Federal Correctional Institutions
Correctional Service Canada
2023-24 – 2027-28$171M$324M+$153MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 271: Supporting Essential Goods and Services Within Federal Correctional Facilities
Budget 2024, p. 406: Services within Federal Correctional Facilities
Correctional Service Canada
2023-24 – 2026-27$48M$194M+$146MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 148: Extending Temporary Support for Seasonal Workers
Budget 2024, p. 227: Extending Temporary Support for Seasonal Workers
2023-24 – 2026-27$107M$251M+$144MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 244: Veterans Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Budget 2025, p. 285: Veterans Affairs Canada Adjustments for Non-Discretionary Cost Fluctuations
Veterans Affairs Canada
2024-25 – 2027-28$4M$128M+$124MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 246: Marine and Aviation Fuel Cost Pressures
Budget 2024, p. 407: Marine Fuel Cost Pressures
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
2023-24 – 2027-28$0M$110M+$110MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 271: Supporting Essential Goods and Services Within Federal Correctional Facilities
Budget 2023, p. 244: Supporting Essential Goods and Services within Federal Correctional Facilities
Correctional Service Canada
2022-23 – 2026-27$60M$168M+$108MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 127: Employment Insurance Revenues for Measures Included in Budget 20231
Budget 2025, p. 286: Employment Insurance Revenues for Measures Included in Budget 2025
2024-25 – 2027-28-$831M-$935M-$104MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 245: 2022-23 Adjustment to the Grant for the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration
Budget 2025, p. 285: 2024-25 Adjustment to the Grant for the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2024-25 – 2027-28$0M$92M+$92MHigh
Budget 2022, p. 272: 2021-22 Adjustment to the Grant for the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration
Budget 2025, p. 285: 2024-25 Adjustment to the Grant for the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2024-25 – 2026-27$0M$92M+$92MHigh
Budget 2024, p. 276: Temporary Lodging for Asylum Claimants
Budget 2025, p. 282: Temporary Lodging for Asylum Claimants
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2024-25 – 2028-29$141M$67M-$74MHigh
Budget 2023, p. 246: Price and Volume Protection for Federal Real Property
Budget 2025, p. 285: Price and Volume Protection for Federal Real Property
Public Services and Procurement Canada
2024-25 – 2027-28$220M$146M-$74MHigh

Budgets read: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. Amounts are in millions of dollars; a positive amount is a cost to the government (it lowers the budgetary balance). Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable · Budget 2023: A Made-in-Canada Plan · Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation · Budget 2025: Canada Strong

Sources