Live Debt Tracker
Canada's Federal Debt
Watch it grow in real time. Every second, every dollar.
Growing at $2,752 per second
Last updated: January 2026 · Source: Department of Finance, PBO, MEI
Your Child's Share
$31,130
Inherited at birth
Debt-to-GDP
41.2%
Nearly doubled since 2008
Annual Interest
$49.1B
More than defense spending
How Fast Is Debt Growing?
| Time Period | Debt Increase |
|---|---|
| Per Second | $2,752 |
| Per Minute | $165,120 |
| Per Hour | $9.91 million |
| Per Day | $237.8 million |
| Per Year | $86.8 billion |
Based on projected debt increase for fiscal 2025-26. Source: Montreal Economic Institute
Historical Debt Growth
2015
Pre-Trudeau
$612.3B
2020
Pre-COVID
$721.4B
2025
Current
$1,266.5B
Growth 2015-2025: +$654.2 billion (+106.8%)
Federal debt MORE THAN DOUBLED in 10 years
The Cost of Debt: $49.1 Billion/Year
Every year, the federal government pays $49.1 billion just in interest on the debt. This money provides ZERO services to Canadians. It goes entirely to bondholders.
Debt Interest
$49.1B
Defense (Main Estimates)
$35.7B
We pay bondholders more than we spend on national defense.
What This Means For You
Per Canadian
$31,130
Based on 41.6 million population
Per Taxpayer
$44,655
Based on ~29 million tax filers
Every child born today inherits $31,130 in federal debt before earning their first dollar.
See Your Personal Debt Share
Our calculator shows exactly how much of your taxes go to debt interest, and breaks down all federal spending so you can see where your money actually goes.
Calculate Your Tax Burden→Frequently Asked Questions
How much debt does Canada have?
As of January 2026, Canada's federal accumulated deficit (true debt) is approximately $1.295 trillion. This represents money the government has borrowed and owes to bondholders.
How much debt does each Canadian owe?
Each Canadian's share of federal debt is $31,130. Every child born today inherits this debt before earning their first dollar. Per taxpayer, the share is $44,655.
How fast is Canada's debt growing?
Federal debt is growing at approximately $2,752 per second, or $237.8 million per day. This rate is based on the Montreal Economic Institute debt clock methodology.
What is Canada's debt-to-GDP ratio?
The federal debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% as of 2024-25. This has nearly doubled from 22% in 2008. The PBO projects it will rise above 43% in the medium term.
How much does Canada pay in debt interest?
Canada pays $49.1 billion annually in debt interest payments. This exceeds defense spending and provides NO services to Canadians. It's purely paying bondholders for past spending.
Why do you use "accumulated deficit" instead of "net debt"?
The government's "net debt" calculation subtracts non-financial assets like roads and buildings. These assets are illiquid, have no market value, and will never be sold. Accumulated deficit represents the actual money borrowed.