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Highlights
September 2024
There was a budgetary deficit of $3.2 billion in September 2024, compared to a deficit of $3.9 billion in September 2023. The budgetary deficit before net actuarial losses and gains was $4.3 billion, compared to a deficit of $3.3 billion in the same period of 2023–24. The budgetary balance before net actuarial losses and gains is intended to supplement the traditional budgetary balance and improve the transparency of the government’s financial reporting by isolating the impact of the amortization of net actuarial losses and gains arising from the revaluation of the government’s pension and other employee future benefit plans.
Monthly Budgetary Balance and Budgetary Balance Excluding Net Actuarial Losses and Gains
Compared to September 2023:
- Revenues increased by $3.6 billion, or 11.1 per cent, largely reflecting higher personal income tax revenue and other revenues.
- Program expenses excluding net actuarial losses and gains were up $3.8 billion, or 12.2 per cent, largely reflecting increases in direct program expenses and major transfers to persons.
- Public debt charges were up $0.8 billion, or 19.9 per cent, largely reflecting an increase in the stock of marketable bonds and higher interest on the government’s pension and benefit obligations.
- The government recorded net actuarial gains of $1.1 billion in September 2024, compared to net actuarial losses of $0.6 billion in September 2023, largely due to a year-to-date adjustment in September 2024 to reflect updated estimates for the 2024–25 fiscal year.
April to September 2024
The government posted a budgetary deficit of $13.0 billion for the April to September period of the 2024–25 fiscal year, compared to a deficit of $8.2 billion reported for the same period of 2023–24. The budgetary deficit before net actuarial losses and gains was $11.0 billion, compared to a deficit of $4.4 billion in the April to September period of 2023–24.
Compared to 2023–24:
- Revenues were up $20.3 billion, or 9.6 per cent, reflecting increases in all major categories of revenue.
- Program expenses excluding net actuarial losses and gains were up $21.7 billion, or 11.2 per cent, driven by increases in direct program expenses, major transfers to persons, and major transfers to provinces, territories and municipalities.
- Public debt charges increased by $5.2 billion, or 22.5 per cent, primarily reflecting higher interest on marketable bonds, treasury bills, and pension and benefit obligations.
- Net actuarial losses and gains decreased by $1.8 billion, or 46.8 per cent, reflecting both the amortization of gains arising from updated actuarial valuations of the government’s pension and other employee future benefit plans and the end of the amortization of certain prior years’ net actuarial losses.
Year-to-Date Budgetary Balance and Budgetary Balance Excluding Net Actuarial Losses and Gains
| September | April to September | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | |
| Budgetary transactions | ||||
| Revenues | 32,519 | 36,135 | 212,121 | 232,410 |
| Expenses | ||||
|
Program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses and gains |
-31,612 | -35,455 | -193,508 | -215,224 |
|
Public debt charges |
-4,160 | -4,989 | -23,003 | -28,186 |
| Budgetary balance, excluding net actuarial losses and gains | -3,253 | -4,309 | -4,390 | -11.000 |
| Net actuarial (losses) gains | -630 | 1,140 | -3,780 | -2,010 |
| Budgetary balance (deficit/surplus) | -3,883 | -3,169 | -8,170 | -13,010 |
| Non-budgetary transactions | 5,022 | -5,838 | -35,087 | -50,388 |
| Financial source/requirement | 1,139 | -9,007 | -43,257 | -63,398 |
| Net change in financing activities | -26,139 | -1,446 | 43,893 | 36,516 |
| Net change in cash balances | -25,000 | -10,453 | 636 | -26,882 |
| Cash balance at end of period | 42,433 | 39,774 | ||
|
Note: Positive numbers indicate net source of funds. Negative numbers indicate net requirement for funds. |
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Revenues
Revenues in September 2024 totalled $36.1 billion, up $3.6 billion, or 11.1 per cent, from September 2023.
- Tax revenues increased by $2.3 billion, or 8.3 per cent, compared to the same period in 2023–24, largely as a result of higher personal income tax revenue.
- Pollution pricing proceeds to be returned to Canadians were up $0.1 billion, or 18.4 per cent, reflecting in part higher carbon pollution pricing in 2024–25. Direct proceeds continue to be fully returned in the provinces or territories where they are generated.
- Employment Insurance (EI) premium revenues were up $0.2 billion, or 11.0 per cent, reflecting a higher premium rate and a higher number of persons employed.
- Other revenues were up $1.0 billion, or 35.7 per cent, largely reflecting higher interest and penalties revenues and return on investments.
Revenues for the April to September period of 2024–25 totalled $232.4 billion, up $20.3 billion, or 9.6 per cent, from the same period in 2023–24.
- Tax revenues increased by $13.2 billion, or 7.6 per cent, compared to the same period in 2023–24, owing largely to higher personal and corporate income tax revenue.
- Pollution pricing proceeds to be returned to Canadians were up $1.3 billion, or 28.9 per cent, reflecting higher carbon pollution pricing in 2024–25.
- EI premium revenues were up $1.5 billion, or 10.8 per cent, reflecting a higher premium rate and a higher number of persons employed.
- Other revenues were up $4.2 billion, or 22.7 per cent, reflecting higher interest and penalties revenues, higher revenues from enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises, and higher net foreign exchange revenues.
| September | April to September | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | Change | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | Change | |
| ($ millions) | (%) | ($ millions) | (%) | |||
| Tax revenues | ||||||
| Income taxes | ||||||
|
Personal |
16,268 | 18,011 | 10.7 | 98,562 | 105,357 | 6.9 |
|
Corporate |
5,155 | 5,333 | 3.5 | 34,851 | 38,638 | 10.9 |
|
Non-resident |
579 | 570 | -1.6 | 5,555 | 6,504 | 17.1 |
|
Total income tax revenues |
22,002 | 23,914 | 8.7 | 138,968 | 150,499 | 8.3 |
| Other taxes and duties | ||||||
|
Goods and Services Tax |
3,450 | 3,803 | 10.2 | 26,868 | 28,313 | 5.4 |
|
Energy taxes |
514 | 584 | 13.6 | 2,665 | 2,868 | 7.6 |
|
Customs import duties |
534 | 448 | -16.1 | 2,865 | 2,701 | -5.7 |
|
Other excise taxes and duties |
621 | 634 | 2.1 | 3,531 | 3,765 | 6.6 |
|
Total other taxes and duties |
5,119 | 5,469 | 6.8 | 35,929 | 37,647 | 4.8 |
| Total tax revenues | 27,121 | 29,383 | 8.3 | 174,897 | 188,146 | 7.6 |
| Pollution pricing proceeds to be returned to Canadians | 728 | 862 | 18.4 | 4,499 | 5,801 | 28.9 |
| Employment Insurance premiums | 1,809 | 2,008 | 11.0 | 14,229 | 15,766 | 10.8 |
| Other revenues | 2,861 | 3,882 | 35.7 | 18,496 | 22,697 | 22.7 |
| Total revenues | 32,519 | 36,135 | 11.1 | 212,121 | 232,410 | 9.6 |
|
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. |
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Expenses
Program expenses excluding net actuarial losses and gains in September 2024 were $35.5 billion, up $3.8 billion, or 12.2 per cent, from September 2023.
- Major transfers to persons, consisting of elderly benefits, EI benefits, COVID-19 income support for workers, and children’s benefits, were up $1.6 billion or 16.9 per cent.
- Elderly benefits increased by $0.4 billion, or 6.6 per cent, largely reflecting changes in consumer prices to which benefits are fully indexed and growth in the number of recipients.
- EI benefits increased by $0.7 billion, or 48.9 per cent, largely due to a higher unemployment rate in September 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year and the timing of Labour Market Development Agreements payments.
- COVID-19 income support for workers increased $0.3 billion, or 88.0 per cent, reflecting a decrease in redeterminations of benefits, which are accounted for as a reduction in expenses.
- Children’s benefits were up $0.2 billion, or 7.5 per cent, mainly reflecting the indexation of benefits to consumer prices, which annually takes effect July 1st, and an increase in the number of eligible children.
- Major transfers to provinces, territories and municipalities were up $0.3 billion, or 4.7 per cent, largely reflecting legislated growth in the Canada Health Transfer, the Canada Social Transfer, Equalization transfers and transfers to the territories, and year-over-year timing differences in transfers for Canada-wide early learning and child care and the Canada Community-Building Fund. These increases in transfers were offset in part by higher estimated recoveries under the Quebec Abatement relative to September 2023, which saw an adjustment based on revised estimates for 2023–24.
- Pollution pricing proceeds returned to Canadians increased by $0.1 billion, or 59.2 per cent. Direct proceeds continue to be fully returned in the provinces or territories where they are generated.
- Direct program expenses were up $1.8 billion, or 12.3 per cent. Within direct program expenses:
- Other transfer payments increased by $1.1 billion, or 20.2 per cent, in large part reflecting increased transfers for housing programs, payments with respect to Indigenous Peoples, the Canada Dental Benefit, and the Canada Workers Benefit.
- Operating expenses of the government’s departments, agencies, and consolidated Crown corporations and other entities increased by $0.7 billion, or 7.7 per cent, primarily reflecting increased personnel costs.
Public debt charges increased $0.8 billion, or 19.9 per cent, largely reflecting an increase in the stock of marketable bonds and higher interest on the government’s pension and benefit obligations.
Net actuarial losses and gains, which represent the amortization of changes in the value of the government’s obligations for pensions and other employee future benefits accrued in previous fiscal years and related assets, contributed a $1.1 billion gain in September 2024, compared to a $0.6 billion loss in the same period of the prior year. The change from the prior year is largely due to a year-to-date adjustment in September 2024 to reflect updated estimates for the 2024–25 fiscal year.
For the April to September period of 2024–25, program expenses excluding net actuarial losses and gains were $215.2 billion, up $21.7 billion, or 11.2 per cent, from the same period the previous year.
- Major transfers to persons were up $7.0 billion or 12.1 per cent.
- Elderly benefits increased by $2.6 billion, or 6.9 per cent, largely reflecting growth in the number of recipients and changes in consumer prices, to which benefits are fully indexed.
- EI benefits increased by $1.5 billion, or 14.6 per cent, largely reflecting the higher unemployment rate in this period compared to the previous year.
- COVID-19 income support for workers increased $1.8 billion, or 84.9 per cent, reflecting a decrease in redeterminations of benefits.
- Children’s benefits were up $1.2 billion, or 9.3 per cent, mainly reflecting the indexation of benefits to consumer prices, and an increase in the number of eligible children.
- Major transfers to provinces, territories and municipalities were up $4.4 billion, or 9.2 per cent, largely reflecting legislated growth in the Canada Health Transfer, the Canada Social Transfer, Equalization transfers and transfers to the territories, as well as year-over-year differences in the timing of payments under health agreements. The latter includes transfers under new tailored bilateral agreements with provinces and territories on shared health priorities, which were made towards the end of the previous fiscal year, although total annual transfers are expected to be similar in both years.
- Pollution pricing proceeds returned to Canadians increased by $1.1 billion, or 22.3 per cent, largely reflecting an increase in the rate of the Canada Carbon Rebate.
- Direct program expenses were up $9.3 billion, or 11.1 per cent. Within direct program expenses:
- Other transfer payments increased by $6.4 billion, or 21.2 per cent, reflecting a number of factors including higher transfers with respect to Indigenous Peoples, an increase in Canada Workers Benefit payments, funding for the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative to help communities adapt to climate change, increased transfers under the Canada Dental Benefit, and an increase in payments for the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
- Operating expenses of the government’s departments, agencies, and consolidated Crown corporations and other entities increased by $2.9 billion, or 5.4 per cent, largely reflecting an increase in personnel costs and year-over-year timing differences in consolidated Crown corporations’ expenses, offset in part by lower public health expenses.
Public debt charges increased by $5.2 billion, or 22.5 per cent, primarily reflecting higher interest on marketable bonds, treasury bills, and the government’s pension and benefit obligations.
Net actuarial losses and gains decreased by $1.8 billion, or 46.8 per cent, reflecting both the amortization of gains arising from updated actuarial valuations of the government’s pension and other employee future benefit plans and the end of the amortization of certain prior years’ net actuarial losses.
| September | April to September | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | Change | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | Change | |
| ($ millions) | (%) | ($ millions) | (%) | |||
| Major transfers to persons | ||||||
|
Elderly benefits |
6,268 | 6,683 | 6.6 | 37,203 | 39,755 | 6.9 |
|
Employment Insurance benefits |
1,474 | 2,195 | 48.9 | 10,022 | 11,482 | 14.6 |
|
COVID-19 income support for workers1 |
-368 | -44 | 88.0 | -2,148 | -325 | 84.9 |
|
Children’s benefits |
2,230 | 2,397 | 7.5 | 12,758 | 13,944 | 9.3 |
| Total major transfers to persons | 9,604 | 11,231 | 16.9 | 57,835 | 64,856 | 12.1 |
| Major transfers to provinces, territories and municipalities | ||||||
|
Canada Health Transfer |
4,118 | 4,340 | 5.4 | 24,710 | 26,040 | 5.4 |
|
Canada Social Transfer |
1,368 | 1,409 | 3.0 | 8,208 | 8,454 | 3.0 |
|
Equalization |
1,997 | 2,104 | 5.4 | 11,981 | 12,626 | 5.4 |
|
Territorial Formula Financing |
329 | 351 | 6.7 | 2,862 | 3,054 | 6.7 |
|
Canada-wide early learning and child care |
– | 62 | n/a | 1,788 | 2,015 | 12.7 |
|
Canada Community-Building Fund |
– | 56 | n/a | 1,184 | 1,175 | -0.8 |
|
Health agreements with provinces/territories2 |
– | 10 | n/a | – | 2,250 | n/a |
|
Other fiscal arrangements3 |
-473 | -645 | -36.4 | -3,422 | -3,945 | -15.3 |
| Total major transfers to provinces, territories and municipalities | 7,339 | 7,687 | 4.7 | 47,311 | 51,669 | 9.2 |
| Pollution pricing proceeds returned to Canadians | 147 | 234 | 59.2 | 4,819 | 5,896 | 22.3 |
| Direct program expenses | ||||||
|
Other transfer payments |
5,305 | 6,376 | 20.2 | 29,985 | 36,350 | 21.2 |
|
Operating expenses |
9,217 | 9,927 | 7.7 | 53,558 | 56,453 | 5.4 |
|
Total direct program expenses |
14,522 | 16,303 | 12.3 | 83,543 | 92,803 | 11.1 |
| Total program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses and gains | 31,612 | 35,455 | 12.2 | 193,508 | 215,224 | 11.2 |
| Public debt charges | 4,160 | 4,989 | 19.9 | 23,003 | 28,186 | 22.5 |
| Total expenses, excluding net actuarial losses and gains | 35,772 | 40,444 | 13.1 | 216,511 | 243,410 | 12.4 |
|
Net actuarial losses (gains) |
630 | -1,140 | -281.0 | 3,780 | 2,010 | -46.8 |
| Total expenses | 36,402 | 39,304 | 8.0 | 220,291 | 245,420 | 11.4 |
|
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.
1 COVID-19 income support for workers includes the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.
2 Health agreements with provinces and territories include the Working Together bilateral agreements and Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements. Remaining funding under the Home and Community Care, and Mental Health and Addiction Services bilateral agreements was integrated into these agreements.
3 Other fiscal arrangements include the Quebec Abatement (Youth Allowances Recovery and Alternative Payments for Standing Programs), which represents a recovery from Quebec of a tax point transfer; statutory subsidies; and other items.
|
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The following table presents total expenses by main object of expense.
| September | April to September | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | Change | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | Change | |
| ($ millions) | (%) | ($ millions) | (%) | |||
| Transfer payments | 22,395 | 25,528 | 14.0 | 139,950 | 158,771 | 13.4 |
| Other expenses | ||||||
|
Personnel, excluding net actuarial losses and gains |
5,339 | 5,848 | 9.5 | 32,174 | 34,828 | 8.2 |
|
Transportation and communications |
234 | 317 | 35.5 | 1,318 | 1,451 | 10.1 |
|
Information |
26 | 40 | 53.8 | 159 | 161 | 1.3 |
|
Professional and special services |
1,542 | 1,727 | 12.0 | 7,367 | 8,187 | 11.1 |
|
Rentals |
314 | 295 | -6.1 | 2,221 | 2,275 | 2.4 |
|
Repair and maintenance |
326 | 347 | 6.4 | 1,581 | 1,554 | -1.7 |
|
Utilities, materials and supplies |
244 | 277 | 13.5 | 2,203 | 1,530 | -30.5 |
|
Other subsidies and expenses |
748 | 617 | -17.5 | 3,874 | 3,752 | -3.1 |
|
Amortization of tangible capital assets |
437 | 448 | 2.5 | 2,610 | 2,661 | 2.0 |
|
Net loss on disposal of assets |
7 | 11 | 57.1 | 51 | 54 | 5.9 |
|
Total other expenses |
9,217 | 9,927 | 7.7 | 53,558 | 56,453 | 5.4 |
| Total program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses and gains | 31,612 | 35,455 | 12.2 | 193,508 | 215,224 | 11.2 |
| Public debt charges | 4,160 | 4,989 | 19.9 | 23,003 | 28,186 | 22.5 |
| Total expenses, excluding net actuarial losses and gains | 35,772 | 40,444 | 13.1 | 216,511 | 243,410 | 12.4 |
|
Net actuarial losses (gains) |
630 | -1,140 | 281.0 | 3,780 | 2,010 | -46.8 |
| Total expenses | 36,402 | 39,304 | 8.0 | 220,291 | 245,420 | 11.4 |
|
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. |
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Revenues and expenses (April to September 2024)
Financial requirement of $63.4 billion for April to September 2024
The budgetary balance is presented on an accrual basis of accounting, recording government revenues and expenses when they are earned or incurred, regardless of when the cash is received or paid. In contrast, the financial source/requirement measures the difference between cash coming in to the government and cash going out. This measure is affected not only by changes in the budgetary balance but also by the cash source/requirement resulting from the government’s investing activities through its acquisition of capital assets and its loans, financial investments and advances, as well as from other activities, including payment of accounts payable and collection of accounts receivable, foreign exchange activities, and the amortization of its tangible capital assets. The difference between the budgetary balance and financial source/requirement is recorded in non-budgetary transactions.
With a budgetary deficit of $13.0 billion and a requirement of $50.4 billion from non-budgetary transactions, there was a financial requirement of $63.4 billion for the April to September 2024 period, compared to a financial requirement of $43.3 billion for the same period of the previous year. The increase in the financial requirement for non-budgetary transactions is due in large part to the government’s purchase of Canada Mortgage Bonds, as announced in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement. Purchases began in February 2024, and the government intends to purchase up to an annual maximum of $30 billion while ensuring that the pace and volume of these purchases are appropriate for market conditions.
| September | April to September | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | |
| Budgetary balance (deficit/surplus) | -3,883 | -3,169 | -8,170 | -13,010 |
| Non-budgetary transactions | ||||
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and accounts receivable | 6,054 | 2,853 | -24,979 | -19,755 |
| Pensions, other future benefits, and other liabilities | 1,184 | -80 | 5,155 | 3,778 |
| Foreign exchange accounts and derivatives | 39 | -1,457 | -9,583 | -7,715 |
| Loans, investments and advances | -1,932 | -6,209 | -4,754 | -23,454 |
| Non-financial assets | -323 | -945 | -926 | -3,242 |
| Total non-budgetary transactions | 5,022 | -5,838 | -35,087 | -50,388 |
| Financial source/requirement | 1,139 | -9,007 | -43,257 | -63,398 |
|
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. |
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Net financing activities up $36.5 billion
The government financed this financial requirement of $63.4 billion by increasing unmatured debt by $36.5 billion and drawing down cash balances by $26.9 billion. The increase in unmatured debt was achieved primarily through the issuance of marketable bonds and treasury bills.
Cash balances at the end of September 2024 stood at $39.8 billion, down $2.7 billion from their level at the end of September 2023.
| September | April to September | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | |
| Financial source/requirement | 1,139 | -9,007 | -43,257 | -63,398 |
| Net increase (+)/decrease (-) in financing activities | ||||
| Unmatured debt transactions | ||||
|
Canadian currency borrowings |
||||
|
Marketable bonds |
-27,670 | 1,127 | -15,875 | 16,949 |
|
Treasury bills |
2,379 | -4,871 | 54,277 | 12,692 |
|
Total Canadian currency borrowings |
-25,291 | -3,744 | 38,402 | 29,641 |
|
Foreign currency borrowings |
-845 | 2,319 | 5,624 | 7,021 |
|
Total market debt transactions |
-26,136 | -1,425 | 44,026 | 36,662 |
|
Obligations related to capital leases and other unmatured debt |
-3 | -21 | -133 | -146 |
| Net change in financing activities | -26,139 | -1,446 | 43,893 | 36,516 |
| Change in cash balance | -25,000 | -10,453 | 636 | -26,882 |
| Cash balance at end of period | 42,433 | 39,774 | ||
|
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. |
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Notes
- The Fiscal Monitor is a report on the consolidated financial results of the Government of Canada, prepared monthly by the Department of Finance Canada. The government is committed to releasing The Fiscal Monitor on a timely basis in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standards Plus, which are designed to promote member countries’ data transparency and promote the development of sound statistical systems.
- The financial results reported in The Fiscal Monitor are drawn from the accounts of Canada, which are maintained by the Receiver General and used to prepare the annual Public Accounts of Canada.
- The Fiscal Monitor is generally prepared in accordance with the same accounting policies as used to prepare the government’s annual consolidated financial statements, which are summarized in Section 2 of Volume I of the Public Accounts of Canada, available through the Public Services and Procurement Canada website.
- The financial results presented in The Fiscal Monitor have not been audited or reviewed by an external auditor.
- There can be substantial volatility in monthly results due to the timing of revenue receipts and expense recognition. For instance, a large share of government spending is typically reported in the March Fiscal Monitor.
- The April to March results reported in The Fiscal Monitor are not the final results for the fiscal year as a whole. The final results are published in the annual Public Accounts of Canada and incorporate post-March end-of-year adjustments made once further information becomes available, including the accrual of tax revenues reflecting assessments of tax returns and valuation adjustments for assets and liabilities. Post-March adjustments may also include the accrual of measures announced in the budget that are recorded upon receipt of Royal Assent of enabling legislation.
- Table 7, Condensed Statement of Assets and Liabilities, is included in the monthly Fiscal Monitor following the finalization and publication of the government’s financial results for the preceding fiscal year, typically in the fall.
Note: Unless stated otherwise, changes in financial results are presented on a year-over-year basis.
For inquiries about this publication, contact Gina Clark at [email protected].
November 2024