9.1°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-launches-real-time-payment-system-for-instant-money-transfers
CanadaNov 09, 2026

Canada Launches Real-Time Payment System for Instant Money Transfers

Transferring money between bank accounts in Canada is set to become faster and easier with the launch of a new real-time payment system. Payments Canada announced on Monday the launch of its Real-Time Rail (RTR) payment system. Currently, transferring money between banks and completing business transactions can take considerable time. However, the new RTR system will allow consumers and businesses to send and receive money within seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Initially, fintech companies such as Wealthsimple and KOHO are testing the system to offe
bibi-jagir-kaur-set-to-rejoin-shiromani-akali-dal-after-four-years
IndiaNov 09, 2026

Bibi Jagir Kaur Set to Rejoin Shiromani Akali Dal After Four Years

Former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur is expected to rejoin the Shiromani Akali Dal on November 13, sparking fresh political discussions in Punjab and the Sikh community. Bibi Jagir Kaur has confirmed that Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal will visit Begowal on November 13. She said people in Punjab are concerned about the weakening of the Akali Dal, which was established in 1920 at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and stressed the need to strengthen the party. She also stated that she has never sought any position and has always worked for the pa
surrey-mayor-doug-mccallums-15-campaign-promises-set-for-council-approval
BCNov 09, 2026

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum’s 15 Campaign Promises Set for Council Approval

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum’s campaign promises could receive the green light at this evening’s council meeting, the first regular meeting of the newly elected council. McCallum’s 15-point agenda includes several major proposals, including the controversial decision to separate the City of Surrey from Metro Vancouver while retaining its existing services. Other key commitments include equipping the Surrey Police Service with a fleet of helicopters and drones within the next three months and freezing property taxes for the next four years. However, political experts believe that while McCa
mark-carney-appoints-karen-karniol-tambour-as-ceo-of-canadas-new-sovereign-wealth-fund
CanadaNov 09, 2026

Mark Carney Appoints Karen Karniol-Tambour as CEO of Canada’s New Sovereign Wealth Fund

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the appointment of the CEO of Canada’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund, named the Canada Strong Fund. Karen Karniol-Tambour, currently co-chief investment officer at U.S.-based asset management firm Bridgewater Associates, will take on the role. A Canadian citizen, Karniol-Tambour joined Bridgewater in 2006 and is now leaving the firm after nearly two decades to return to public service in Canada. The Canada Strong Fund will launch with an initial capital of $25 billion and aims to invest in major infrastructure projects across the country. One of th
alberta-premier-danielle-smith-welcomes-federal-budget-raises-concerns-over-immigration-changes
AlbertaNov 09, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Welcomes Federal Budget, Raises Concerns Over Immigration Changes

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has welcomed the latest federal budget, calling it an important step toward the province’s economic development. She particularly praised investments in major projects and tax reforms, which are expected to provide a significant boost to private-sector investment. However, Smith expressed concerns over the proposed immigration changes, saying they are being introduced without consulting the provinces. Under the federal government’s new plan, Canada will welcome 380,000 permanent residents and 370,000 temporary residents annually from 2027 to 2029. The plan al

Related News