4.24°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

alberta-premier-expresses-condolences-after-deadly-shooting-at-tumbler-ridge-secondary-school
AlbertaFeb 11, 2026

Alberta premier expresses condolences after deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge secondary school

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed condolences following a deadly shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left 10 people dead, including the alleged gunman. In a public statement, Smith said her thoughts are with the students, staff and families affected, adding that Alberta stands with the entire Tumbler Ridge community during what she described as an unimaginable tragedy. According to the BC RCMP, officers responded to reports of shots fired at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. Police said six people were pronounced dead at th
federal-flags-lowered-for-seven-days-to-honour-victims-of-b-c-mass-shooting
BCFeb 11, 2026

Federal flags lowered for seven days to honour victims of B.C. mass shooting

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered flags on all federal buildings and institutions to be flown at half-mast for seven days following a deadly mass shooting in northeastern British Columbia that left 10 people dead, including the suspect. The attacks took place Tuesday in the small community of Tumbler Ridge. According to the RCMP, the suspect is believed to have first killed two people at a private residence before going to a local school, where several others were shot in what police have described as one of the most serious mass shootings in recent Canadian history. Investigators have sa
high-court-told-no-provision-for-virtual-participation-in-lok-sabha-amid-amritpal-singh-parole-plea
IndiaFeb 11, 2026

High Court told no provision for virtual participation in Lok Sabha amid Amritpal Singh parole plea

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday heard a petition related to Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking permission to participate in the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. During the proceedings, the court was informed that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha do not contain any provision allowing a Member of Parliament to attend or participate in House proceedings through virtual means. The submission was made as part of arguments concerning Singh’s request for relief that would enable him to take part in parliamentary proceedings. The court observed that
AlbertaFeb 11, 2026

AFN national chief says Alberta separation cannot proceed without First Nations consent

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says any attempt by Alberta to separate from Canada would require the consent of First Nations and cannot proceed without respecting treaty rights. Speaking Tuesday at an AFN conference in Calgary, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak described the province’s separatist movement as illegitimate and unconstitutional. She said Canada is founded on treaties between the Crown and First Nations, and those agreements would remain in force regardless of provincial political movements. “Canada is treaty territory,” Woodhouse Nepinak told delegates. “First
AlbertaFeb 11, 2026

Calgary man charged after drone used to smuggle drugs into Manitoba prison

A Calgary man is facing drug trafficking charges after authorities allege a drone was used to deliver illicit substances to a federal prison in Manitoba. The RCMP say officers were alerted early Sunday morning after a drone dropped a package onto the grounds of Stony Mountain Institution, located north of Winnipeg. Correctional Service Canada confirmed the package contained methamphetamine and other controlled substances. Police said officers who were already in the area observed a vehicle parked near the institution around the same time. The vehicle was stopped, and investigators reported fin

Related News