21.09°C Vancouver

Apr 19, 2021 9:29 PM -

Federal Budget 2021: Highlights from Chrystia Freeland's speech and reaction

Share On
federal-budget-2021-highlights-from-chrystia-freelands-speech-and-reaction
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland responds to a question during a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Highlights from the federal Liberal budget tabled Monday by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland:

$30 billion over the next five years, and $8.3 billion ongoing for early learning and child care and Indigenous early learning and child care.

The plan would aim to see an average drop in fees next year by 50 per cent for preschooler daycare spaces and an average of $10-a-day care by 2026.

$3 billion over five years, starting in 2022-23, to Health Canada to support provinces and territories in improving standards for long-term care. The government says this funding will keep seniors safe and improve their quality of life.

$2.2 billion in Canada's bio-manufacturing and life-sciences sector to rebuild Canada's national capacity in bio-manufacturing and vaccine development and production.

Introducing legislation to establish a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, rising with inflation, with provisions to ensure that where provincial or territorial minimum wages are higher, that wage will prevail.

A new Canada Recovery Hiring Program to provide eligible employers with a subsidy of up to 50 per cent on the incremental remuneration paid to eligible employees between June 6 and November 20.

The program will provide $595 million to make it easier for businesses to hire back laid-off workers or to bring in new ones.

$17.6 billion towards a green recovery to create jobs, build a clean economy, and fight and protect against climate change.

$1 billion over six years, starting in 2021-22, to the Universal Broadband Fund to support a more rapid rollout of broadband projects in collaboration with provinces and territories and other partners.

$18 billion over the next five years to try to narrow the socio-economic gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, including $6 billion for infrastructure in Indigenous communities, and $2.2 billion to help end the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

$2.5 billion and reallocate $1.3 billion in existing funding in order to help build, repair or support 35,000 housing units.

Introduce Canada's first national tax on vacant property owned by non-residents.

Introducing a new tax on the sales, for personal use, of luxury cars and personal aircraft with a retail sales price over $100,000, and boats, for personal use, over $250,000.

Includes $100 million in new spending over the next three years.

Records a $155 billion deficit for 2021-22.

Latest news

cockroach-janata-party-founder-abhijeet-deepke-to-visit-amritsar-calls-for-protest-over-neet-and-cbse-concerns
IndiaJun 12, 2026

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Deepke to visit Amritsar, calls for protest over NEET and CBSE concerns

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Deepke says he will visit Amritsar on June 13 and participate in a peaceful demonstration in support of students affected by issues related to NEET and CBSE examinations. In a video posted on social media platform X, Deepke said he is scheduled to arrive in Amritsar at 4 p.m. on June 13. He urged young people and students to gather at Amritsar Gate to take part in the protest. According to Deepke, the demonstration will be held in support of NEET and CBSE students and will include a demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradha
CanadaJun 12, 2026

Quebec passes law banning energy drink sales to children under 16

Quebec has become the first province in Canada to prohibit the sale of caffeinated energy drinks to children under the age of 16 after the National Assembly passed Bill 9 by a large majority on Thursday. The new law is expected to come fully into force within the next six months. Quebec Health Minister Sonia Bélanger said the measure is an important step toward protecting the health and well-being of young people. Under the legislation, beverages containing 150 milligrams or more of caffeine per litre, along with added taurine and vitamins or minerals, will be classified as energy drinks. Ret
CanadaJun 12, 2026

Canada Opens FIFA World Cup Campaign on Home Soil in Toronto

Canada will begin its FIFA World Cup campaign on home soil Friday with an opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto. The tournament marks a historic moment for Canadian soccer as World Cup matches are being played in Canada. However, Canadian fans will be without star player and team captain Alphonso Davies, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. According to head coach Jesse Marsch, Davies continues to make progress in his recovery. Marsch said the defender's condition is improving and expressed optimism that he could return to action later in the tournament. Fol
calgary-man-stabbed-in-face-in-hate-motivated-attack-police
AlbertaJun 11, 2026

Calgary man stabbed in face in hate-motivated attack: police

Calgary police say a man was stabbed twice in the face after being subjected to racial slurs in what investigators are describing as a hate-motivated attack. Police allege the incident occurred on the night of May 22, when a man in his 40s was approached by a neighbour outside his home in southwest Calgary. During the confrontation, the victim was allegedly targeted with racial remarks before being stabbed. The injured man managed to get inside his home, call police and was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities say he has since recovered from his injuries. Investigators also allege the
AlbertaJun 11, 2026

No Active Recall Petitions Remain Against Alberta MLAs

The last remaining recall petitions aimed at removing members of the Alberta legislature have been dismissed. It marks the first time since October that there are no active recall campaigns seeking to unseat Alberta politicians. Elections Alberta says petitions targeting Opposition NDP MLA Marie Renaud and former United Conservative cabinet minister Peter Guthrie have both come to an end. According to the agency, the petition against Renaud was withdrawn, while the campaign against Guthrie was declared invalid after no documents were submitted by Wednesday’s deadline. Under Alberta’s recal

Related News