Objective Consistent with evidence that health is shaped primarily by its social determinants, health systems research shows that government spending on social programs often has a stronger association with population health than medical care investments. This study aims to support Canadian provincial and federal cabinets to act on this evidence by engaging with the concept of "health in all policies" (HiAP) during budget deliberations. Methods The study is descriptive, analyzing secondary, publicly available data about federal and provincial budgets to explore how public finance for social determinants of health (SDoH) investments in earlier (< age 45) and later (age 65+) life course stages has evolved since 1976 relative to investments in medical care. Results Medical care spending increased $3983 per person age 65+ since 1976. This increase is 45% larger than the combined increase for childcare, parental leave, family income support, education, and medical spending per person under age 45. Of the new spending on younger Canadians, medical care received the largest investment. Whereas medical spending for retirees increased just over half the pace of retirement income spending, medical spending for younger Canadians increased nearly as much as their total package of SDoH policies. Conclusion There has been greater alignment between the HiAP concept and Canadian public finance for seniors than for younger Canadians since 1976. Results provide decision-makers with important retrospective information by which to evaluate future public investments in and beyond medical care, across the life course, along with plans to finance those investments.