Pre-Budget Consultations Now Underway!

Pre-budget consultations are now underway for this fall’s Federal Budget and Canadians are invited to share their views with Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne through an online survey. Over the next several weeks, the Finance Minister and his team will meet with various stakeholder groups and review public submissions before finalizing the budget.

The survey focuses largely on government spending priorities, with little discussion of reducing deficits or managing Canada’s growing debt.

However, based on the survey questions, it appears many of the government’s priorities for budget 2026-27 have already been established. This type of survey is often called a “push poll”,  in particular if this was conducted during a political campaign, as it steers respondents towards preferred answers by design.

Financial Literacy Education Missing. While it’s true that there are opportunities to offer suggestions or opinions on a few topics, the questions and the options offered clearly point to current government priorities. For example, one question asks what type of investment product participants would prefer, specifically: “What would be most important to you if you chose to participate?

1. Offering mutual fund that would pay dividends
2. Canada Strong Fund note like a Guaranteed Investment Certificate
3. Either of the above, as long as it is backstopped by the government.

Notably, there is no option to selection “none of the above” or submit comments, and to submit the survey, you must answer all of the questions. There is a missed opportunity to share links to financial literacy education in making important selections like this.

For most questions, respondents can however, submit an alternative to the multiple choice responses offered.

The Timing is Unfortunate. The timing of these consultations also raises questions. The preparation of the budget is a lengthy process that begins long before it is tabled and does not begin after pre-budget consultations. If the goal were to meaningfully shape the budget through public input, these consultations should have begun two months ago.

The survey and submissions will be accepted until September 8, by which time the budget document will be all but ready to be sent to the printer.

There are also additional barriers to participation. First, is the usual failure of the government to properly communicate the opportunity for Canadians to participate at an opportune time. With summer holidays well underway, your clients may not even hear about the survey. You may wish to make them aware; it’s an important way to participate in our democratic process.

Secondly, some Canadians most affected by government policy, including lower-income Canadians, newcomers and individuals living in remote or First Nations communities, may not have access to a computer or internet to complete the survey, if they are aware of it at all. This leaves many Canadian voices un-represented.

How Effective Is the Process? Unfortunately, the government does not release information about the response rate to its pre-budget survey making it difficult to assess how representative the results ultimately are. Nevertheless, the consultation remains an opportunity for Canadians to share their perspectives. In addition to completing the survey, individuals and organizations can submit more detailed written recommendations through the consultation portal.

The consultation is open until September 8 at Canada.ca/yourbudget.

For more discussion on tax and fiscal policy, be sure to listen to Real Tax News with Evelyn Jacks & Friends, available wherever you get your favourite podcasts.