Food Bank Canada Responds to Budget 2025
November 5, 2025 – Canada continues to stand at a crossroad. While the Carney government seeks to re-orient the economy amid global shifts and trade disruptions, too many people continue to feel left behind – a reality reflected in the rising use of food banks across the country.
Budget 2025 offers glimmers of hope for addressing food insecurity over the long term, yet immediate action is still needed to make life affordable for those who are struggling today. At a time when the federal government is investing heavily in nation-building projects, food banks must also be recognized as essential infrastructure – investments that not only reduce hunger but also strengthen human productivity by enabling people to learn, work, and participate in Canada’s economic future.
Budget 2025’s investments in housing have the potential to address a root cause of food insecurity, but action is needed with accelerated urgency. Stable, affordable housing allows people to spend less on rent and better meet other basic needs, including food, while supporting economic participation and community stability. Food Banks Canada continues to urge the federal government to introduce a rental assistance program to provide immediate relief for low-income renters as Build Canada Homes begins delivering affordable housing.
Food Banks Canada commends the federal government for advancing measures in Budget 2025 that have the potential to reduce food insecurity over the long term, including two initiatives long championed by the food bank network – the introduction of automatic tax filing and the permanent establishment of the National School Food Program.
Automatic tax filing for low-income individuals with simple tax situations will help ensure people receive the benefits they are entitled to — such as the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Workers Benefit, and the GST/HST credit. Regular access to these supports has the potential to meaningfully increase incomes, helping households afford essentials like food, rent, and transportation, while reducing reliance on food banks and improving financial stability.
“This initiative is about ensuring people can access the supports they need but aren’t currently receiving,” said Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer of Food Banks Canada. “Automatic tax filing is about fairness, dignity, and making sure everyone can benefit from the same foundational tools and supports.”
Food Banks Canada also welcomes the government’s commitment to make the National School Food Program permanent, providing healthy meals and snacks to up to 400,000 students. We urge the government to work closely with provinces and territories to ensure administrative processes are simple and do not limit the program’s intended reach or impact.
“Prioritizing the well-being of children in Canada to make sure they have access to the nutritious food they need to focus on learning and growing is a critical investment in our country’s future,” said Beardsley. “These two important measures in Budget 2025 will help reduce food insecurity and feed greatness in Canada.”
The funding of these initiatives in Budget 2025 reflects the power of advocacy by the food bank network. Food Banks Canada will continue this work and calls on the federal government to reduce food insecurity by 50% by 2030.
To address the rising rates of food insecurity among working individuals — currently the fastest-growing group of food bank users — the government must provide direct support for low-income and precariously employed workers. Canada’s Employment Insurance system must be modernized to reflect today’s labour market realities, and urgent measures such as a Rent Assistance Program or Groceries and Essentials Benefit should be introduced to improve affordability.
“In this new world, Canada can pursue renewed economic growth while ensuring life is more affordable for everyone. Food Banks Canada will continue to partner with the federal government to end hunger and advocate for the supports people in Canada need to thrive,” said Beardsley.
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada is the leader in addressing food insecurity in Canada. Our mission is to provide national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network. For over 40 years, Food Banks Canada has been dedicated to helping people living in Canada with food insecurity. Over 5,500 food banks and community organizations come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours, who – this year – made almost 2.2 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our 2025 HungerCount report.
