8 figures
The numbers that decide what comes out of your pay, what credit costs and how much you are allowed to shelter from tax. Each one names the agency that publishes it, the date it took effect, and the date we last checked it against the source.
Whole set last reviewed August 1, 2026.
1 figure
What credit costs and what safe money earns.
Bank of Canada policy rate
Held at the July 2026 decision
In effect since Jul 15, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Bank of Canada
What it means for you: Variable mortgages and lines of credit move with this within days. Fixed mortgage rates follow bond yields instead, so they move earlier and less predictably.
1 figure
How fast prices are moving.
Inflation (CPI)
June 2026, down from 3.2% in May
In effect since Jun 30, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Statistics Canada
What it means for you: The number your raise has to beat, and the one the Bank of Canada is steering at when it moves the policy rate.
4 figures
What sets your payroll deductions and your contribution ceilings.
CPP earnings ceiling (YMPE)
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Canada Revenue Agency
What it means for you: You pay 5.95% on earnings between $3,500 and the ceiling, then 4% on the slice up to $85,000. Above that, CPP stops for the year.
EI maximum insurable earnings
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Canada Revenue Agency
What it means for you: EI stops coming off your cheque once you have paid $1,123.07 for the year. Quebec pays a lower rate because QPIP covers parental benefits there.
Federal basic personal amount
Reduced to $14,829 across the top bracket
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Canada Revenue Agency
What it means for you: Income up to this amount is effectively free of federal tax. It is a credit at 14%, not a deduction, so it is worth the same to everyone who gets the full amount.
Lowest federal tax rate
Cut from 15% for the 2026 tax year
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Canada Revenue Agency
What it means for you: The bottom federal rate came down for 2026, which also lowers the value of every non-refundable credit, since they are all claimed at this rate.
2 figures
How much you are allowed to shelter from tax this year.
What it means for you: New room added this year. Unused room from every year since you turned 18 carries forward, so your actual room is usually far more than this.
RRSP dollar limit
Or 18% of prior-year earned income, whichever is less
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Canada Revenue Agency
What it means for you: The ceiling on this year's RRSP room. Your own limit is 18% of last year's earned income capped at this, plus anything you carried forward.
Rates change. We re-check these on a schedule and stamp each one with the date it was last confirmed, but always verify anything you are about to act on against the agency itself. Every figure above links straight to its source.