15.47°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

BCAug 26, 2026

2 Killed in Horrific Crash Near Lytton, 44-Year-Old Charged a Year Later

A 44-year-old Williams Lake man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash on Highway 1 near Lytton last year that claimed the lives of two people. Joel Chenier has been charged under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act with driving without due care and attention. The crash occurred around 5 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2025, near Spences Bridge. According to police, a black Ford SUV crossed the centre line of the highway and collided head-on with an oncoming pickup truck. The impact was so severe that both vehicles caught fire. A woman travelling in the SUV and a man in the pickup truck died at the scene.
why-was-the-us-deal-rejected-poilievre-demands-answers-from-carney-government
CanadaAug 26, 2026

Why Was the US Deal Rejected? Poilievre Demands Answers from Carney Government

Canada’s main opposition Conservative Party is stepping up pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government over a deal with the United States that was ultimately rejected. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman are demanding that the government release the documents related to the failed agreement, arguing that Canadians deserve transparency about what was discussed and why the deal was turned down. Poilievre has repeatedly raised the issue, saying Canadians are united in defending Canadian workers and industries against what he described as illegal U.S
WorldAug 26, 2026

Ebola Claims More Than 2,700 Lives in Congo, WHO Issues Warning

The Ebola outbreak in Uganda has officially come to an end, but the situation remains critical in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the virus continues to spread rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Wednesday that Uganda’s Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, was over. The Ugandan government had declared the country Ebola-free on July 28 after reporting 20 cases and two deaths. WHO continued monitoring the situation until this week to ensure that no chains of transmission had been missed. In contrast, the outbreak in the DRC continues to
WorldAug 26, 2026

15 Newborn Babies Killed in Fire at Islamabad Hospital Nursery

Fifteen newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on Wednesday. Hospital officials said 16 newborns were present in the nursery when the incident occurred, but only one baby was rescued. According to rescue officials, an air-conditioner compressor inside the nursery exploded, triggering a fire that quickly spread through the ward. Rescue teams rushed to the hospital after receiving information about the blaze and launched a rescue operation. Officials said the fire has now been brought under cont
AlbertaAug 26, 2026

16-year-old arrested after threats to shoot students at northern Alberta school

A 16-year-old youth has been arrested in northern Alberta after allegedly threatening to shoot students at a school just days before the start of the new academic year. RCMP officers said they received a report in Manning about a student threatening to shoot other students on the first day of school. After nearly six days of investigation, Mounties executed a search warrant at a local residence on Tuesday. During the search, police seized seven weapons. RCMP said the 16-year-old is expected to face a charge related to uttering threats, subject to Crown approval. Manning RCMP Sgt. Gavin Ool sai

Related News