For the 70% of the population that have no formal pension and faced with a government keeping interest rates depressed so people can load themselves with debt - real estate (usually their homes) and investing are the only ways to build some modest measure of security for your old age.   Living below one's means (whether as an individual or as a government) was in the dusty past considered as admirable and desirable. Now individuals who don't buy the bigger car or take the vacations and choose to put something aside are looked at as somehow unfairly advantaged and profiteers at the expense of others.  I am middle class (and are peddling fast to remain in that status).  While every stock and equity I purchase and sell is taxed before I can re-invest it for my 'pension' I and a great number of middle class Canadians are grateful the fact that the recent budget will not make it even more difficult to save for retirement.