Minister Morneau Sets Budget 2019 Date for March 19, 2019

February 20, 2019 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

The Government of Canada is taking the next steps in its plan to build an economy that works for everyone—one with more good, well-paying jobs for the middle class, and with real help and opportunities for people working hard to join it.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced in the House of Commons that the Government will table its next budget on March 19, 2019.

The Government's plan to invest in the middle class, combined with the hard work of Canadians, has resulted in an economy that is strong and growing. Over 850,000 more Canadians are employed today than in 2015, and the unemployment rate is near 40-year lows. Wage growth for 2018 is on pace to rise at its fastest rate in eight years, and Canada is expected to remain among the fastest-growing economies in the G7 in 2019 and 2020.

Budget 2019 will build on the success of the Government's plan, with continued investments in the things that matter most to Canadians. Its investments in people, in our communities, and in building greater opportunities for our children and grandchildren will help to grow Canada's economy for the long term, in a balanced and fiscally responsible way.

Since 2015, the Government's plan has delivered real results for Canadians and their families. To help give Canadians more money to save, invest, and help grow the economy, the Government introduced the middle class tax cut. To help families with the high cost of raising children, the Government introduced the Canada Child Benefit—and then indexed it to keep pace with the rising cost of living, two years ahead of schedule.

This year also marks the replacement of the Working Income Tax Benefit with the more generous Canada Workers Benefit, which will put more money in the pockets of low-income workers—encouraging more people to join and stay in the workforce, and offering real help to more than 2 million Canadian workers. Enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan, which will give Canadian workers greater income security when they retire, also take effect in 2019.

Minister Morneau's announcement of the 2019 budget date follows record participation in the annual pre-budget consultations. More than 1.8 million people were reached during the consultation period, which saw Canadians submit nearly 14,000 submissions and ideas.