QUESTION PERIOD — National Revenue
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
December 2, 2025
Senator Moreau, this Friday marks the fortieth anniversary of International Volunteer Day, an important moment to recognize the essential contributions that volunteers make in our communities, especially at this time of the year.
The end of the year also signals the start of tax season. As you know, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program enables non-profit organizations to operate free tax clinics that help Canadians file their returns and access the benefits to which they are entitled. Canadians can volunteer to support the work of this program.
Given that this pilot program has been extended twice since 2021, and noting the $7-million funding envelope identified in Budget 2025, is the government considering extending this program beyond March 2026? And what has been the total cost of this grant program to date?
Thank you, Senator Loffreda, for highlighting such an important program. Unfortunately, I don’t have an exact cost figure for you at this time, but I will certainly inquire about that with the Canada Revenue Agency.
As to extending the pilot program past March 2026, as I am sure you can appreciate, I cannot speak on any future program announcements. Having said that, the government has certainly recognized the importance of ensuring Canadians file their taxes in order to receive the benefits that they are owed. That is why the government has committed to automatic tax filing for low-income Canadians who cannot afford to pay experts to file their taxes.
Thank you for that. March 2026 is around the corner, as we know.
Our National Finance Committee has repeatedly expressed concern that too many eligible Canadians still do not file a tax return. Some estimates suggest it’s as many as 10% of Canadians.
How successful has the program been since its creation? Specifically, how many Canadians have been able to access income benefits as a result of these free community tax clinics?
I understand, senator, that over 3.2 million tax filings have been submitted through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, with over 2.8 million Canadians receiving support.
As I said, it is very important for Canadians, particularly low‑income Canadians, to file their taxes to ensure they receive the benefits and money that they are owed. That is why the government is taking steps to automatically file taxes for low‑income Canadians. These filings ensure that Canadians —
Thank you, Senator Moreau.
