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Driving lasting change

We’re the quiet force behind practical change—meeting with governments, building relationships and delivering evidence that moves policy.

Our reports, submissions, and briefings push for concrete fixes: closing the financial help gap, modernizing benefits delivery, strengthening funding for free tax and coaching services, cracking down on predatory lending, and expanding low-cost credit. It’s steady, behind-the-scenes work with bold goals—clearer rules, fairer systems, better outcomes.

Policy Change

We partner with government to remove financial barriers through evidence-based policy advice, briefings, and collaborative problem-solving.

Federal Advocacy

We advocate for bold national action—like automatic tax filing and disability benefit access—to close financial help gaps.

How we make it happen

There are a few key ways we work to ensure systems change in a way that serves the most vulnerable populations. Explore our process below.

By strengthening systems alongside services, we create lasting change—so every person in Canada can access the financial help they need to thrive.

Automatic Federal Benefits: A joint submission to the Department of Finance Canada

Join us calling for improvements to automatic federal benefits

Each year, an estimated $1.7–$1.9 billion in federal benefits goes unclaimed, largely because people are unable to file taxes. Tax filing is the gateway to benefits people rely on for housing, food, and other basic needs. When barriers prevent people from filing, they are effectively shut out of Canada’s income security system. 

In this submission to the Department of Finance Canada’s consultation on automatic federal benefits, Maytree, Momentum, and Prosper Canada welcome the government’s decision to allow deemed tax filing—where the Canada Revenue Agency automatically files a tax return for eligible people with low incomes.  

The submission explains why deemed filing matters, what’s at stake for people living with low incomes, and why the federal government should change its proposed design for automatic federal benefits to expand eligibility and provide benefits in a timely manner.   

What the submission covers 

Why tax filing is the backbone of income security in Canada, and how gaps in filing perpetuates poverty 

The limits of current approaches (SimpleFile, volunteer tax clinics, pre-filled returns) and why they are not enough on their own 

Why deemed filing is a necessary paradigm shift, especially for people receiving social assistance 

Concrete recommendations urging a more ambitious approach, including expanded and continuous eligibility, more timely benefits, and accelerated implementation 

The importance of data sharing with provinces and territories to unlock automatic access to benefits 

The ongoing role of community organizations in ensuring accuracy, trust, and accessibility 

Grounded in lived experience and frontline expertise, this submission emphasizes that equitable access to benefits should not depend on someone’s ability to navigate complex systems. 

read our latest report

Closing the Divide: Solutions for Canada's Financial Help Gap

Our comprehensive report, Closing the Divide: Solutions for Canada’s Financial Help Gap, sets out clear steps governments, financial services, and community organizations can take to  ensure every Canadian – no matter who they are or where they live – can access the financial help they need to build their financial stability, resilience, and well-being.   

Read the report

     "Canadians are struggling financially and those who need financial help the most – people with low incomes – are the least likely to find it," said Prosper Canada CEO, Elizabeth Mulholland. "Our report, developed with and for governments, financial services, and community organizations, offers practical solutions that every sector can take today to help more struggling Canadians to get the financial help they need."

    Elizabeth Mulholland, CEO, Prosper Canada