Inflation drove post-pandemic spike in Canada Child Benefit costs: PBO
OTTAWA — Ottawa's fiscal watchdog says a surge in inflation a few years back drove a substantial jump in the cost of delivering the Canada Child Benefit after the pandemic.
OTTAWA — The Parliamentary Budget Officer reports that a significant surge in inflation following the pandemic led to a substantial rise in the cost of delivering the Canada Child Benefit. Between the 2022-23 and 2024-25 benefit years, the program's cost increased by $4.2 billion, or 16 per cent, totaling $29.2 billion in 2024-25.
This increase surpassed the costs experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw temporary benefit boosts to aid families through economic uncertainty. The Canada Child Benefit is annually adjusted to inflation, with the 8.1 per cent inflation rate in 2022 being the primary driver of the cost hike. Additionally, the report highlights that the rapid influx of immigrants expanded the number of eligible families for the program, further contributing to the expenses. This analysis by The Canadian Press was originally published on September 17, 2026.
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- Inflation drove post-pandemic spike in Canada Child Benefit costs: PBO winnipegfreepress.com
