Treasury Board President Tables 2025–26 Main Estimates Totaling $486.9 Billion

The Honourable Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board, tabled the Government of Canada’s 2025–26 Main Estimates in the House of Commons on May 27, 2025. The Main Estimates outline planned government spending of $486.9 billion for the next fiscal year, detailing allocations for 130 federal organizations.

The release of the Main Estimates marks the formal presentation of the government's overall spending plan for the upcoming year. The document sets out how public funds are allocated to various areas and is a required step in the annual federal budgeting process.

According to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the 2025–26 Main Estimates include $294.8 billion in transfer payments. These transfers are directed to other levels of government, organizations, and individuals. Specifically, the Estimates mention benefits for elderly Canadians and persons with disabilities. Priority spending areas include housing, the Canadian Armed Forces, Indigenous communities, dental care, border services, and Veterans’ benefits. Payments to provinces and territories, such as health care funding, are also part of the planned expenditures.

This year’s Main Estimates, as reported by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, incorporate authorities issued under Governor General Special Warrants, which enabled the government to fund essential services during the period when Parliament was dissolved. The spending amounts listed in the Estimates represent the maximum amount each federal organization is requesting permission to spend, stated as “up to” amounts.

The Main Estimates are part of a broader set of budget documents that also includes Departmental Plans, Departmental Results Reports, and Supplementary Estimates, all of which are tabled as required during the year. The public can view information on government expenditures and performance targets using GC Infobase, the government’s online data tool.