18.09°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

canada-labour-board-again-orders-bank-of-canada-to-stop-using-replacement-workers-during-security-officers-strike
CanadaJul 23, 2026

Canada Labour Board again orders Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers during security officers' strike

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered the Bank of Canada for a second time to stop using replacement workers during an ongoing strike by its security officers, ruling that the practice violates Canada's new anti-scab provisions under the Canada Labour Code. According to the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the central bank continued using employees from private security firm Pinkerton despite an earlier board order issued in early July. The union alleged the replacement workers were being used to undermine the legal strike. The board has directed the Bank of Canada to remove the
lytton-b-c-hits-41-degrees-hottest-temperature-in-canada-this-year
BCJul 23, 2026

Lytton, B.C., hits 41 degrees, hottest temperature in Canada this year

The heat wave that has scorched southern British Columbia this week has seen temperatures pass 40 degrees for a second consecutive day in the Fraser Canyon, marking the two hottest temperatures recorded in Canada this year. Environment Canada says temperatures in Lytton hit 41.2 degrees on Wednesday, breaking a daily heat record set in 2006. Heat warnings that have blanketed the southern half of the province this week have receded, ending in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast, portions of Vancouver Island and the North Coast. But more than 20 heat warnings remain in place,
carney-says-canada-will-support-workers-and-businesses-amid-u-s-tariff-dispute
CanadaJul 23, 2026

Carney says Canada will support workers and businesses amid U.S. tariff dispute

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will take whatever steps are necessary to protect and support Canadians, families, workers and businesses as trade tensions with the United States continue. Carney made the remarks Thursday during the final day of the annual meeting of Canada's provincial and territorial premiers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. According to the prime minister, discussions focused heavily on U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to impose a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods. Carney said Canada is in a stronger position than it was when the tr
AlbertaJul 23, 2026

Calgary police ask residents to check vacant homes as search for missing autistic boy enters seventh day

Calgary police are asking residents, property owners and real estate professionals to check vacant homes as the search for an 11-year-old boy with autism entered its seventh day. According to Calgary Police Service, Parker, who is non-verbal, walked away from his day home in north Calgary last Thursday. Police have not released his last name. Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson said Parker has the skills to survive inside a home, including getting drinking water from a tap and food from a refrigerator. Investigators believe he may have entered an unoccupied residence, prompting the appeal for peo
pm-modi-announces-fast-track-courts-for-paper-leak-cases-as-protests-continue
IndiaJul 23, 2026

PM Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases as protests continue

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued his first public response to the ongoing paper leak controversy, announcing that fast-track courts will be established to ensure the speedy trial of those accused in the cases. He said the government is committed to taking strict action against those responsible for examination paper leaks. Despite the announcement, protests over the issue continued. Demonstrators and opposition parties described the measure as insufficient and reiterated their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Late Wednesday, clash

Related News