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Federal spending · 2024–25

Where your tax dollars go

See what the federal government spent in 2024–25 and where it went, item by item. Taken from Ottawa's audited accounts, figures are shown per $100 and per person who paid income tax.

Every $100 Ottawa spent

Federal departments and programs: $44.15Benefits paid to people: $26.89Transfers to provinces and territories: $19.20Interest on the debt: $9.76
  • Federal departments and programs $44.15
  • Benefits paid to people $26.89
  • Transfers to provinces and territories $19.20
  • Interest on the debt $9.76
Line 42000, “Net federal tax”, on your notice of assessment.

Federal departments and programsWhat departments, agencies and Crown corporations run and pay out themselves · $241.6 billion $44.15 $10,706

  • National DefenceThe Canadian Armed Forces
    $6.57 $1,593
  • Indigenous ServicesHealth, schooling, child welfare and water on First Nations and Inuit communities
    $4.88 $1,185
  • Canada Revenue AgencyTax collection, benefits paid through tax returns such as the Canada Workers Benefit, and $8.4 billion of taxes owed that Ottawa doesn't expect to collect
    $4.63 $1,123
  • Employment and Social DevelopmentStudent grants and loans, job programs, Service Canada
    $3.77 $914
  • Public SafetyRCMP, border services, federal prisons, CSIS
    $3.37 $818
  • Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern AffairsClaims settlements, treaties and the North
    $2.30 $559
  • Innovation, Science and IndustryBusiness and research grants, Statistics Canada, the space agency
    $2.17 $526
  • Treasury BoardPublic servants' insurance and pension contributions, paid centrally
    $2.15 $521
  • Housing, Infrastructure and CommunitiesHousing and infrastructure programs
    $2.13 $517
  • HealthThe dental care plan, public health, health research
    $1.78 $432
  • 16 other departmentsShow them all
    $11.26 $2,726
    • Global AffairsForeign aid and embassies
      $1.73 $419
    • Canadian HeritageCBC/Radio-Canada, arts, sport, Parks Canada
      $1.35 $327
    • Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipImmigration processing, refugee and settlement programs
      $1.34 $325
    • Public Services and ProcurementGovernment buildings, purchasing, the public service pay system
      $1.27 $307
    • Energy and Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Canada and energy programs
      $1.22 $297
    • TransportTransport Canada, VIA Rail
      $1.09 $264
    • Agriculture and Agri-Food
      $0.72 $175
    • Fisheries, Oceans and the Coast Guard
      $0.68 $164
    • Environment and Climate Change
      $0.54 $131
    • Justice
      $0.51 $123
    • Finance (the department itself)
      $0.40 $96
    • ParliamentThe House of Commons, the Senate and the Library of Parliament
      $0.17 $42
    • Veterans AffairsSmall because most veterans' benefits were booked as a cost in earlier years, when they were earned
      $0.10 $24
    • Privy CouncilThe Prime Minister's department
      $0.08 $18
    • Democratic InstitutionsElections Canada
      $0.06 $13
    • Governor General
      $0.00 $1
  • Year-end accounting adjustmentsRevalued pensions and benefits for public servants and veterans ($4.0 billion), less valuation and other adjustments (−$8.7 billion)
    −$0.86 −$208

Benefits paid to peopleCheques and deposits to individuals · $147.2 billion $26.89 $6,521

  • Seniors' benefitsOld Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement
    $14.67 $3,558
  • Child benefitsThe Canada Child Benefit
    $5.22 $1,266
  • Employment InsuranceBenefits and job support paid from EI premiums
    $4.55 $1,102
  • Carbon tax rebatesPaid back out of carbon tax revenue; the consumer carbon tax ended April 1, 2025
    $2.85 $691
  • COVID benefits paid backOverpaid pandemic benefits recovered this year, which count against spending
    −$0.40 −$96

Transfers to provinces and territoriesMoney Ottawa raises and the provinces spend · $105.1 billion $19.20 $4,656

  • Canada Health TransferFor provincial health care
    $9.51 $2,307
  • Equalization and territorial fundingEqualization ($25.3 billion) and the territories' funding, less Quebec's tax-point abatement
    $4.19 $1,015
  • Canada Social TransferFor post-secondary education, social assistance and children's programs
    $3.09 $749
  • Child care dealsThe national child care agreements with the provinces
    $1.21 $294
  • Other transfersThe Canada Community-Building Fund for cities, and home care and mental health
    $1.20 $291

Interest on the debtInterest on federal bonds and bills, and on public service pension obligations · $53.4 billion $9.76 $2,366

Total$100.00$24,249

Where the money came from

Ottawa took in $511.0 billion and spent $547.3 billion. For every $100 it spent:

  • Personal income tax
    $42.81 $234.3 billion
  • Corporate income tax
    $17.72 $97.0 billion
  • GST
    $9.59 $52.5 billion
  • EI premiums
    $5.76 $31.5 billion
  • Carbon tax
    $2.48 $13.6 billion
  • Tax on non-residentsIncome tax on dividends and interest paid to people outside Canada
    $2.47 $13.5 billion
  • Duties, fuel and excise taxesCustoms duties ($6.3 billion), fuel taxes ($5.7 billion), and taxes on tobacco, alcohol, air travel and more ($7.5 billion)
    $3.55 $19.4 billion
  • Other revenueCrown corporation profits, interest, fees and sales
    $8.98 $49.2 billion
  • The deficitSpent beyond revenue and added to the debt
    $6.64 $36.3 billion

Total$100.00$547.3 billion

Interest on the debt, beside what it could have paid for

  • Interest on the debt $53.4 billion
  • Canada Health Transfer $52.1 billion
  • National Defence $36.0 billion
  • Child benefits $28.6 billion
  • Employment Insurance $24.9 billion

The cost of running the government

  • $76.3 billion paid to federal employees, including the armed forces and the RCMP Salaries, pensions and benefits: $3,380 per taxpayer
  • $19.6 billion for consultants and other outside services Professional and special services: $868 per taxpayer
  • $8.4 billion of taxes owed that Ottawa doesn't expect to collect Booked as a cost this year

Federal spending per Canadian, adjusted for inflation

In 2024–25 dollars. $13,296 in 2024–25, up 31% from $10,172 ten years earlier.

$0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 1983–84 1995–96 2005–06 2015–16 2024–25 $10,172 $13,296 1983–84: $10,658 per Canadian 1984–85: $11,319 per Canadian 1985–86: $10,983 per Canadian 1986–87: $10,956 per Canadian 1987–88: $11,212 per Canadian 1988–89: $11,328 per Canadian 1989–90: $11,437 per Canadian 1990–91: $11,383 per Canadian 1991–92: $10,979 per Canadian 1992–93: $11,039 per Canadian 1993–94: $10,642 per Canadian 1994–95: $10,839 per Canadian 1995–96: $10,673 per Canadian 1996–97: $9,695 per Canadian 1997–98: $9,398 per Canadian 1998–99: $9,336 per Canadian 1999–00: $9,238 per Canadian 2000–01: $9,589 per Canadian 2001–02: $9,328 per Canadian 2002–03: $9,438 per Canadian 2003–04: $9,480 per Canadian 2004–05: $10,238 per Canadian 2005–06: $9,846 per Canadian 2006–07: $10,172 per Canadian 2007–08: $10,352 per Canadian 2008–09: $10,451 per Canadian 2009–10: $11,584 per Canadian 2010–11: $11,137 per Canadian 2011–12: $10,736 per Canadian 2012–13: $10,500 per Canadian 2013–14: $10,386 per Canadian 2014–15: $10,172 per Canadian 2015–16: $10,517 per Canadian 2016–17: $10,752 per Canadian 2017–18: $11,148 per Canadian 2018–19: $11,263 per Canadian 2019–20: $11,747 per Canadian 2020–21: $19,894 per Canadian 2021–22: $14,964 per Canadian 2022–23: $13,201 per Canadian 2023–24: $13,343 per Canadian 2024–25: $13,296 per Canadian
The jump in 2020–21 is the pandemic. Total federal spending ÷ population, in today's prices.
Show the numbers
Fiscal yearPer Canadian, 2024–25 dollars
2024–25$13,296
2023–24$13,343
2022–23$13,201
2021–22$14,964
2020–21$19,894
2019–20$11,747
2018–19$11,263
2017–18$11,148
2016–17$10,752
2015–16$10,517
2014–15$10,172
2013–14$10,386
2012–13$10,500
2011–12$10,736
2010–11$11,137
2009–10$11,584
2008–09$10,451
2007–08$10,352
2006–07$10,172
2005–06$9,846
2004–05$10,238
2003–04$9,480
2002–03$9,438
2001–02$9,328
2000–01$9,589
1999–00$9,238
1998–99$9,336
1997–98$9,398
1996–97$9,695
1995–96$10,673
1994–95$10,839
1993–94$10,642
1992–93$11,039
1991–92$10,979
1990–91$11,383
1989–90$11,437
1988–89$11,328
1987–88$11,212
1986–87$10,956
1985–86$10,983
1984–85$11,319
1983–84$10,658

How we count

These figures cover federal spending only. Provinces and cities are separate. They come from the audited Public Accounts of Canada and the Annual Financial Report for the 2024–25 fiscal year (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025). Total spending was $547.3 billion. Each line shows its share of every $100 spent.

"Per taxpayer" is spending divided by 22,569,834, the number of people whose 2024 income tax return showed income tax to pay, according to the Canada Revenue Agency. It is an even split: an average. People pay very different amounts. Income tax payers carry much of the cost. Corporate taxes, GST, EI premiums, other revenue and borrowing paid for the rest. The section "Where the money came from" shows the mix.

Spending is counted the way the government's own financial statements count it: a cost is recorded in the year it is incurred, which can differ from the year the cash goes out. So a few lines are small or negative. Most veterans' benefits were recorded in earlier years, when they were earned, so Veterans Affairs is small. Overpaid COVID benefits recovered this year count against spending, so that line is negative.

Departments are grouped the way the Public Accounts group them: by minister, with the agencies and Crown corporations each minister is responsible for. Department lines leave out interest on the debt and the big transfers shown in their own lines (seniors' benefits, child benefits, EI, transfers to provinces), so each dollar is counted once. Carbon tax rebates paid through the Canada Revenue Agency have their own line. Numbers are rounded together so every column adds up exactly to its total.

The chart over time divides each year's total federal spending by Canada's population and adjusts it for inflation with Statistics Canada's consumer price index. It starts in 1983–84, the first year counted the way the government counts today.

Sources

Where each line comes from
LineMillionsSource
National Defence35,963External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): National Defence: other transfers + other expenses
Indigenous Services26,737External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Indigenous Services: other transfers + other expenses
Canada Revenue Agency25,348External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): National Revenue: other transfers + other expenses, less $15,450M carbon rebates
Employment and Social Development20,619External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Employment and Workforce Development: other transfers + other expenses
Public Safety18,451External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Public Safety: other transfers + other expenses
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs12,612External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs: other transfers + other expenses
Innovation, Science and Industry11,876External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Innovation, Science and Industry: other transfers + other expenses
Treasury Board11,748External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Treasury Board: other transfers + other expenses
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities11,674External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Housing, Infrastructure and Communities: other transfers + other expenses
Health9,755External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Health: other transfers + other expenses
Global Affairs9,452External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Global Affairs: other transfers + other expenses
Canadian Heritage7,374External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Canadian Heritage (with Parks Canada and Women, Gender Equality and Youth): other transfers + other expenses
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship7,326External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship: other transfers + other expenses
Public Services and Procurement6,929External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Public Services and Procurement: other transfers + other expenses
Energy and Natural Resources6,693External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Energy and Natural Resources: other transfers + other expenses
Transport5,958External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Transport: other transfers + other expenses
Agriculture and Agri-Food3,953External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Agriculture and Agri-Food: other transfers + other expenses
Fisheries, Oceans and the Coast Guard3,699External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard: other transfers + other expenses
Environment and Climate Change2,957External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Environment and Climate Change: other transfers + other expenses, less $145M carbon proceeds returned
Justice2,782External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Justice: other transfers + other expenses
Finance (the department itself)2,165External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Finance: other transfers + other expenses
Parliament954External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Parliament: other transfers + other expenses
Veterans Affairs546External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Veterans Affairs: other transfers + other expenses
Privy Council414External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Privy Council: other transfers + other expenses
Democratic Institutions304External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Democratic Institutions: other transfers + other expenses
Governor General29External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Office of the Governor General's Secretary: other expenses
Year-end accounting adjustments-4,704External expenses by segment and by type (Public Accounts 2025, Volume I, Table 3.6): Net actuarial losses (4,020) + provision for valuation and other items (−8,724)
Seniors' benefits80,294Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 5, elderly benefits
Child benefits28,574Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 5, children's benefits
Employment Insurance24,880Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 5, Employment Insurance and support measures
Carbon tax rebates15,595Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 5, pollution pricing proceeds returned
COVID benefits paid back-2,169Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 5, COVID-19 income support for workers
Canada Health Transfer52,070Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Note 6(a), Canada Health Transfer
Equalization and territorial funding22,915Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Note 6(a), fiscal arrangements (net of the Quebec abatement)
Canada Social Transfer16,909Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Note 6(a), Canada Social Transfer
Child care deals6,639Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Note 6(a), Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care
Other transfers6,568Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Note 6(a), other major transfers
Interest on the debt53,410Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 5, public debt charges
Personal income tax (revenue)234,319Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4
Corporate income tax (revenue)96,954Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4
GST (revenue)52,503Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4
EI premiums (revenue)31,530Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4
Carbon tax (revenue)13,552Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4, pollution pricing proceeds
Tax on non-residents (revenue)13,528Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4
Duties, fuel and excise taxes (revenue)19,401Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4: customs import duties 6,264 + energy taxes 5,650 + other excise taxes and duties 7,487
Other revenue (revenue)49,164Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada, 2024–2025: Table 4, other revenues
Personnel76,283Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Table 3.9, personnel, excluding net actuarial losses
Professional19,598Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Table 3.9, professional and special services
Bad debt8,362Public Accounts of Canada 2025, Volume I: Note 16, bad debt expense on taxes receivable
Income-tax payers22,569,834 peopleIndividual Income Tax Return Statistics, 2024 tax year: Table 1, Canada, taxable returns