At a time when many Canadians are feeling the pressure of rising living costs, McDonald’s Canada has announced a rare move: a one-year price lock on two of its most popular items. Effective immediately, the fast-food giant is committing to keeping McValue Meals at $5 and small McCafé coffee at $1 for an entire year.
This marks the first time in more than a decade that McDonald’s Canada has publicly committed to a price promise of this scale, signalling a renewed focus on value and affordability in 2026.
Why McDonald’s Is Locking in Prices
According to McDonald’s Canada, the decision comes as cost-of-living concerns continue to dominate household conversations. In fact, three in five Canadians say the cost of living is their top concern heading into 2026, making predictable and affordable food options more important than ever.
Unlike limited-time promotions or app-exclusive deals, this price lock applies every day of the year, with no minimum purchase required. McDonald’s describes the McValue promise as unmatched in the Canadian market — offering consistency rather than short-term discounts.
$5 McValue Meals, Now Available All Day
McValue Meals have long been a go-to for budget-conscious diners, and we actually stopped by McDonald’s ourselves to see how this new price lock feels in real life. For $5 in 2026, it’s honestly hard to complain — getting a full meal without needing an app, coupon, or limited-time deal already feels like a win.
That said, we’ll keep it real. The Junior Chicken doesn’t quite feel like it used to. The portion looked a bit smaller than we remember, and the sandwich itself came out looking kind of squished. It’s not bad by any means, but longtime McDonald’s fans will probably notice the change. Still, at this price point, the value is clearly what McDonald’s is leaning into, and for a quick, no-frills meal, it does the job.
McValue Meals are available all day at participating locations across Canada, with the same items and portion sizes offered nationwide. For the first time, breakfast McValue Meals are also included at the $5 price point and are available daily until 11 a.m.
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Here are the options available to you:
Breakfast McValue Meals ($5, until 11 a.m.)
- Sausage McMuffin McValue Meal
- Sausage McGriddles McValue Meal
- Breakfast Burrito McValue Meal
- Bagel with Cream Cheese McValue Meal
Each served with a hash brown and a small McCafé coffee.
Lunch & Dinner McValue Meals ($5)
- McDouble McValue Meal
- Junior Chicken McValue Meal
- Chicken Snack Wrap McValue Meal
Each served with small fries and a small fountain drink.
$1 Small McCafé Coffee, All Year Long
The $1 small McCafé coffee might actually be the quiet MVP here. One of our coworkers at BiteBuddy grabs a coffee on the way to work almost every day, and having a reliable $1 option adds up in a good way over time.
McDonald’s Canada first introduced the $1 small McCafé coffee back in July 2024, even as coffee prices continued to rise. At the same time, prices on larger coffee sizes were reduced by about 30 per cent on average.
Now, McDonald’s is committing to keeping that small coffee at $1 for the entire year, with no minimum purchase required — which makes it an easy daily habit for anyone who just needs a simple caffeine fix.
What to Know Before You Go
- Prices are before tax
- Offers are not available through delivery platforms
- Product availability may vary by restaurant
Final Thoughts
McDonald’s Canada’s one-year price lock stands out at a time when fast-food prices continue to creep upward. While the experience isn’t perfect, the commitment to $5 meals and $1 coffee offers something increasingly rare: consistency.
For everyday diners looking for a reliable, budget-friendly option — especially during busy workdays or early mornings — this move makes McDonald’s an easy choice in 2026.