Today in Ottawa, our government announced new measures aimed at one thing: making life more affordable for Canadians.

From the start, we committed to spending wisely while investing where it matters most, and the upcoming federal budget will reflect that focus.

For too many families, the cost of living is still a daily pressure. Groceries, rent, child care, or simply trying to save a little extra each month, these are real challenges.

The actions announced today will make a difference by easing that pressure and giving families some more breathing room.

An important step we have taken is making the National School Food Program permanent. Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach, and this investment makes sure more children have access to healthy meals at school.

Here in BC, the province is working with the federal government to expand the program so that as many as 400,000 more students across Canada will benefit.

For parents, this means peace of mind knowing their kids are getting the nutrition they need to focus, grow, and simply be kids. For a family with two children, the program represents about $800 in annual grocery savings.

At a time when every dollar counts, that is significant. More importantly, teachers and parents are already seeing the difference: kids who are more focused, more confident, and ready to learn.

We are also improving how Canadians access the benefits they are entitled to. Filing taxes can be complicated, especially for people with low or fixed incomes, and too often that means supports like the Canada Child Benefit or GST credit get missed.

To fix this, the Canada Revenue Agency will begin preparing prefilled tax returns for about one million Canadians starting in 2027, expanding to 5.5 million by 2029.

The CRA already has the essential information such as T4 slips, benefit details, and investment income, and by automatically populating returns we are making the system work for people, not the other way around.

This will save time, reduce errors, and make sure more families receive the support they deserve, on time and without hassle.

Another way we are helping families is through the return of the Canada Strong Pass, which will support Canadians in exploring their own country while giving a boost to local tourism in Winter 2025 and Summer 2026.

Here in Kelowna, we know how vital tourism is to our economy. YLW is the major hub in the South Central Interior, making Kelowna the gateway to some of the surrounding national parks. The Canada Strong Pass will encourage Canadians to make those trips, reconnect with nature, and discover what makes this country special, while also strengthening our local tourism economy.

It includes free admission to all national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas managed by Parks Canada, along with a 25 per cent discount on camping fees.

Kids and teens under 18 will continue to get free admission to national museums, while young adults aged 18 to 24 will see half price admission and discounted VIA Rail travel. It is a way to make family travel more affordable while ensuring Kelowna and the Okanagan continue to benefit as a hub for Canadian tourism.

These new measures build on steps our government has already taken in the short time since being elected.

We have expanded the national dental care program to cover all age groups, cut income taxes for 22 million Canadians, removed the GST for qualified first-time homebuyers, and eliminated the consumer carbon tax to ease costs for families while continuing to invest in clean energy and emissions reductions. Each of these actions matters on its own, but together they start to make a real difference. It is not one single thing, but the accumulation of many measures that is easing the burden on families and making life more affordable for millions of Canadians.

As we look ahead to the federal budget, our focus remains clear: making life more affordable, supporting families, and building a future where Canadians can succeed.

Stephen Fuhr is MP for Kelowna