COQUITLAM, BC, Nov. 9, 2026 /CNW/ -- For people and families across the country, the rising cost of everyday essentials continues to put pressure on household budgets. Whether it's keeping your home warm, finding an affordable place to live, or buying groceries, the cost of meeting basic needs is making it harder for Canadians to get ahead.

Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny provides targeted measures to ease these pressures, reduce costs for households, and strengthen the supports Canadians rely on.

Today, Parliamentary Secretary Ernie Klassen visited Fruiticana, a local grocery store in Coquitlam, to highlight key measures in Budget 2026 that will help Canadians manage daily life expenses, access essential services, and benefit from new economic opportunities. These investments address some of the most pressing concerns facing individuals and families, with support aimed at improving affordability where it matters most.

Putting more money in Canadians' pockets and improving access to benefits:

• Up to $339 for a single person without children and up to $679 for a couple with two children will be provided to Canadians by enhancing the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit with a one-time 50% increase for the 2026-27 benefit year, delivered in early 2027.
• The most ambitious effort in a generation to improve Canada's tax system will make it easier for Canadians to file their taxes and access the benefits and tax relief they are entitled to.
• Up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians will have easier access to federal benefits through automatic benefits and pre-filled returns.

Making housing, energy, and essential services more affordable:

• A long-term housing strategy, providing nearly $45 billion on a cash basis over the next 11 years. Budget 2026 puts Canada on a path to end homelessness within 10 years while expanding non-market housing and building a housing market that works for all.
• A $2 billion investment will help up to 820,000 households switch to heat pumps and support home retrofits thanks to the new National Heat Pump Rebate. Together with other measures to improve energy efficiency, including retrofits in multi-unit residential buildings, these investments are projected to reach up to one million homes and save Canadians more than $1 billion a year on energy bills once fully implemented.
• $1.2 billion in 2027-28 to extend mental health, addictions, and home and community care agreements will help more Canadians access the care they need regardless of their ability to pay.
• $610.3 million over four years, starting in 2027-28, is being invested to ensure that Nutrition North Canada can maintain and expand its essential supports, helping lower the cost of imported foods and supporting food harvesting in northern communities.

Creating opportunities and strengthening financial security:

• An estimated 240,000 people will be lifted out of poverty through the new Build Canada Workers Benefit, keeping more money in workers' pockets.
• 175,000 young Canadians are gaining opportunities this fiscal year to earn money and develop work-ready skills through Canada Summer Jobs, the horizontal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, and the Student Work Placement Program.

Making life more affordable for Canadians requires action on many fronts, and Budget 2026 delivers on that commitment. The Government of Canada is focused on practical solutions that respond to the challenges Canadians face today, while laying the foundation for a stronger future.

Quote: 

"Being masters of our destiny is about having the confidence to build on our strengths and shape our own future. Canada has the resources, talent, and ambition to succeed. Budget 2026 builds on those strengths by unlocking investment, building more at home, strengthening our energy and natural resource advantage, and helping Canadian businesses grow and compete on the world stage. That's how we will create good jobs, make life more affordable, and build a stronger, more resilient, and more united Canada for generations to come."
-   The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue 

"British Columbians feel rising costs every time they buy groceries or pay a bill. Budget 2026 gives a couple with two children up to an additional $649 through the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. That's more money for families across B.C. to put toward groceries, rent and the bills that show up every month."
-   Ernie Klassen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries

Associated links:

• Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny

SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada