Ever wonder why your streaming bills keep going up? If your first thought is something along the lines of “greedy corporations”, you may be missing something.

Parliamentary records show that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has spent more than $15 million so far implementing the federal Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11).

Of that amount, $11.9 million went toward salaries and $3.3 million covered operational costs. Roughly $9 million was spent in the 2024-25 fiscal year alone. Looking ahead, the regulator estimates it will require about $9.7 million annually to sustain the program.

To cover these costs, the CRTC has invoiced streaming services $19.9 million for 2024-25, with collections projected to rise to $22.9 million in 2025-26. The Commission confirmed these revenues will be used to fund the regulatory system itself rather than directly supporting Canadian creators. Currently, 59 full-time employees are assigned to enforcing the law.

How do streaming services cover those additional costs? Have a look at your streaming bills from 2022 and compare it to today!

Bill C-11 expands the CRTC’s authority over online streaming platforms, requiring them to promote Canadian content and comply with new reporting and funding rules. Supporters argue this will ensure Canadian voices remain visible in an increasingly global digital marketplace.

Critics, however, warn the framework gives regulators significant influence over what content viewers see, while imposing compliance costs that could affect platform investment and consumer prices. Some legal experts have questioned whether the law addresses broadcasting challenges effectively, or whether it risks unintended consequences for free expression online.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to scale back federal spending later this year, though he has yet to clarify which programs will be affected or the extent of the reductions.

He made the announcement during a Liberal caucus gathering in Edmonton, framing it as the beginning of a new chapter in fiscal responsibility. While Carney has floated a target of $25 billion in cuts over the next three years, this figure falls short of the more ambitious promises he made during the election campaign, including shrinking the public sector and boosting economic efficiency.

According to projections from the Department of Finance, federal expenditures in 2025 are expected to reach $558.3 billion. Much of that spending is already committed: $85.5 billion for seniors’ benefits, $71.1 billion for government payroll, $54.7 billion for health transfers, $54.2 billion in interest payments, and $29.6 billion for the Canada Child Benefit.

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized Carney’s approach, accusing the government of excessive spending and failing to deliver meaningful budget cuts.

Adding to the uncertainty, the government has not yet released a comprehensive budget for 2025. The most recent fiscal update—the Fall Economic Statement from December 16—projects a deficit of $42.2 billion.

A national survey conducted in September 2025 by Harris & Partners, a licensed insolvency trustee firm, has revealed a troubling financial reality for Canadians: 88.9% are living paycheck to paycheck.

Key Insights from the Survey

• 88.9% of respondents say they rely entirely on their regular income to get by.
• More than 60% used credit cards, loans, or other forms of borrowing to cover basic expenses over the past year.
• 77.1% said they could not handle an unexpected $500 expense without borrowing.
• 80.1% reported having no emergency savings.
• 81.4% described themselves as financially stressed.
• 67.4% blamed themselves for their financial struggles.

Joshua Harris, CEO of Harris & Partners, called the findings “alarming,” noting that the crisis goes beyond discretionary spending. “This isn’t about cutting back on luxuries—it’s about scrambling to afford necessities like food, shelter, and transportation,” he said. With credit increasingly used as a lifeline, household finances are becoming more precarious.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the grim statistics, 62.4% of Canadians remain hopeful that their financial situation will improve within the next year. Harris emphasized that this optimism must be supported by broader economic reforms, particularly efforts to align wages with the rising cost of living.

Canadians are so used to volatile fuel prices that the federal government is quietly counting on them not noticing a planned increase of up to 13 cents per litre under its Clean Fuel Regulations.

That’s the core message in a May 8 briefing note obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter, which outlines a strategy to raise fuel costs while minimizing public backlash.

“Given the variability in fuel prices paid at the pump, increases in fuel costs due to the Clean Fuel Regulations may not be noticeable by most consumers, including farmers,” states the internal memo titled Clean Fuel Regulations.

The Plan: Raise Ethanol, Raise Prices

The government’s approach is to mandate higher levels of ethanol and biodiesel in fuel blends—more expensive alternatives to conventional fuels—while relying on price fluctuations to mask the added cost.

According to Agriculture Canada projections, by 2030 the regulations will add:

6¢ to 13¢ per litre to gasoline

7¢ to 16¢ per litre to diesel

Despite the impact, the federal government insists this isn’t a tax—it’s a “market-based mechanism.”

“Regulations are not a tax and are a market-based mechanism designed to spur innovation of clean technologies,” the memo claims.

The estimates closely match a 2023 report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, which projected a fuel price increase of up to 17 cents per litre—a significant hit for Canadians, particularly those in rural areas reliant on diesel equipment and long commutes.

Fuel Mandate’s Growing Footprint

First introduced in 2023, the Clean Fuel Regulations require tripling ethanol content in gasoline—from 5% to 15% over time. Currently, 26% of Canada’s corn-growing land and 3% of wheat acreage are already dedicated to ethanol production, raising concerns about food supply impacts and land use.

Warnings from Within

Even the government’s own advisors are issuing warnings. A 2024 report from the Net Zero Advisory Body stressed that climate policy must go beyond reducing emissions to address affordability and economic strain, citing mounting costs in housing, energy, food, and transport.

Meanwhile, a 2024 study in the Journal of Public Health found that millions of Canadians live in “energy poverty”—defined as spending more than 10% of income on heating and cooling, or paying more than twice the national median for energy.

The Bottom Line: “You Won’t Notice”—Until You Do

Despite growing concerns, Ottawa’s message remains: Relax. You won’t notice the difference.

But for Canadians balancing household budgets, running farms, or commuting outside big cities, the impact will be real—and critics warn that by the time it’s felt, it may be too late to reverse course.

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After a long period of price stability through the 2024 fall and winter, gasoline prices climbed eight cents mid-January from 1.669 to 1.749. This price increase hits consumer wallets mere months ahead of another scheduled increase to the Canadian carbon tax on April 1st. It remains to be seen if gas prices will continue increasing prior to the carbon tax hike, but either way this will put additional strain on many households already struggling to make ends meet in the midst of persistent high inflation.

With the Federal Government prorogued until March 24th, 2025, there is no chance of a change in tax policy to provide Canadians with essential financial relief before the carbon tax increase.

Liberal party leader hopefuls are trying to distance themselves from the disastrous carbon tax policy they have supported since 2019, with hopes of benefiting from long standing opposition talking points. Even in the unlikely event of a pause or reduction of the federal carbon tax policy, which would reduce the cost of living across Canada, British Columbia still manages a provincial carbon tax that would continue to impact fuel prices regardless of federal policy.