This Month’s Poll

I believe taxpayers should be able to get a larger non-refundable tax credit for medical expenses. Currently regardless of how much you have in medical expenses you only get a 14.5% non-refundable tax credit (The lowest tax bracket). I think the medical credit should be tiered in some manner, such as the first $5,000 is at 14.5%, the next $5,000 at 20.5%, the next $5,000 at 26%, and anything above that at the top rate of 33%. This is along the same lines as how Charitable Donations are treated. This method would put more actual dollars back into people’s pockets and especially those that have high medical expenses.
I also agree that the cap of $10,000 for nursing care should be increased.

By Peter Lindop on October 28, 2026

I have a lot of older clients.  Many of them live in care homes.  The $10,000 cap on long term care has been in place since 1Jan2005.  So there has been no change in the deduction (coming on to 22 years) despite the fact that both care costs and the incidence of long term care needs have skyrocketed!  Several of my clients spend north of $50,000 per year for long term care for their loved one. 

While perhaps a cap of $24,000 (or $2,000 a month) will be a huge improvement, it may make sense to cover 50% of the attendant care costs!  Seniors are burning through their life savings to do something that the federal and provincial governments hold primary constitutional responsibility for.  Everyone realizes our health care systems are broken.  However easing the tax burden for afflicted taxpayers is a specific area in which real progress can and should be made.

By Robert Nelson on October 28, 2026

Yes 100% write off expenses are high especially if terminally ill and young

By ARNELLA Renda on October 28, 2026

Yes, and a higher amount for those without health insurance!

By Rachel on October 21, 2026

Allowing out of pocket expenses that may or may not be a health related expense only results in further tax issues requiring judgement.  Our tax system is already confusing and open for much interpretation and allowing claims for “Tylenol” only results in additional reviews, confusion and complexity. 

Let’s work on reducing the time commitments required to administer the tax system by simplification, not increasing compliance costs.

By Alan Rowell on October 21, 2026

I also agree with Tammy’s comment and would like to see the Government take it a step further.  To actively encourage and reward it’s citizens for taking care of themselves by letting them keep more of their money in their pocket. A healthy population has the means to support itself as opposed to relying on Government funded social programs.

I also feel low-income taxpayers, individuals or families with disabled children or dependents, and seniors should be eligible for a fully refundable credit on a broader range of medical expenses.  These individuals and families regularly incur greater medical costs, which skyrocket if full-time care becomes required, whether in or outside of the home.

By Brenda on October 16, 2026

I agree that the 3% income reduction should not be a requirement.  The credit reduces taxes at the lowest level.  Many out of pocket expenses are still mostly funded by the taxpayer because of the threshhollds.  Taxpayers should be able to get a greater credit, especially seniors and chronically I’ll people.  These are not paid by our universal health care, so should be more deductible.

By Marilyn on October 15, 2026

Yes. I would favour a refundable credit covering 20% of eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses from the first dollar, with additional support for low-income Canadians and households facing exceptionally high costs.
Timing matters too. Someone paying for ongoing treatment needs help when the bills arrive, not only after filing a tax return. Quarterly advance payments, reconciled annually, could make this relief more practical—particularly for seniors and people with chronic illnesses.
Relief should be based on medical need and financial burden, rather than how much income tax a person owes.

By YULIYA KOVALENKO on October 14, 2026

While I agree in principle, I would prefer to focus less on adding new eligible expenses and more on improving access to medical credits. Lowering or eliminating the 3% threshold mainly benefits taxpayers who already have enough taxable income to use the credit. I would suggest two alternatives: 1) Change the Medical Expense Tax Credit to a refundable credit, or 2) Remove the earned-income requirement from the Refundable Medical Expense Supplement. Either change would provide greater assistance to low-income seniors, GIS recipients, and individuals with disabilities, many of whom face substantial medical expenses but see little benefit from the current system.

By Daniel on October 13, 2026

Since medical expenses are a tax credit and not a deduction, the allowable expenses should start at the first dollar and not the 3% of income threshold. More and more health care costs are becoming out-of-pocket and seniors in particular are bearing a significant expense with little in the way of tax relief.

By Howard Mix on October 07, 2026

I think a combination of Tammy and Klaus’ comments are the way to go.  I agree that the deduction of percentage of net income should be reduced or eliminated, perhaps to 1 - 1.5% if not eliminated.  I also think some of the OTC medical supplies should be allowed.  That said, there needs to be some way of determining if the OTC medicine is for treating health ailments or merely “feel-good” items.  Many items in a drug store might not be related to health but to other uses.  That is another story for another time.

By Robert Litschel on October 07, 2026

When Canadians proactively invest in preventative wellness through nutrition, supplements, and fitness, it reduces the strain on our public health expenditures as it eliminates as many doctor and hospital visits.  These expenses and any expense recommended by a doctor from basic over the counter medicine to post surgical and or wound care,  should be tax deductible.  Allowing these as tax deductible, incentivizes the public to take better care of themselves.

By Tammy Machan on October 07, 2026

The best solution would be to reduce or remove the percentage of the net income deducted from the medical expenses.

By Klaus Theyer on October 07, 2026