10.33°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

energy-cooperation-to-be-discussed-during-marco-rubios-visit-to-india
WorldOct 14, 2026

Energy Cooperation to Be Discussed During Marco Rubio’s Visit to India

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will depart on Saturday for a five-day visit to India and Uzbekistan, the U.S. State Department has announced. During his visit to India, Rubio will discuss energy cooperation and meet with government officials to exchange views on regional and global issues. According to the State Department, his itinerary includes Samarkand in Uzbekistan and Mumbai and Jamnagar in India. The visit comes as efforts to finalize a long-pending bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States have once again stalled. Officials from both countries indicated earlier
no-one-will-be-spared-in-parvinder-jhota-murder-case-cm-mann
IndiaOct 14, 2026

No One Will Be Spared in Parvinder Jhota Murder Case: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has assured that no accused will be spared in the murder case of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. He has issued strict instructions to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav to conduct a thorough investigation and get to the bottom of the case. Mann said the accused would face strict punishment. He added that if any conspiracy behind the murder comes to light, those involved in planning it would also be held accountable. Expressing his condolences to Parvinder Singh Jhota’s family, the Chief Minister said the loss of a young son was deeply painful and that such an inciden
BCOct 14, 2026

Suspect Sets Fire at Surrey Motel Lobby, Police Seek Public Help

A suspect allegedly set fire to the lobby of the Linda Vista Motel in Surrey on Tuesday morning after threatening staff, according to police. Surrey Police received a report of the incident at around 4:45 a.m. in the 6400-block of King George Boulevard. Police said a young man entered the motel lobby, threatened staff members and then deliberately started a fire. Surrey Fire Services quickly responded and extinguished the blaze. However, part of the motel lobby was damaged in the incident. No injuries were reported. According to the suspect description released by police, the man is believed t
BCOct 14, 2026

Bail Denied to Man Accused of Helping Tumbler Ridge School Shooting Suspect

A U.S. court has denied bail to James Cody Bryant, who is accused of helping the main suspect in the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School in British Columbia. During a hearing in a Seattle court on Tuesday, the judge ordered the 30-year-old to remain in custody. According to the FBI, Bryant communicated online with 18-year-old shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar for months through a social media platform, provided financial assistance and helped with several aspects of the attack, including weapon selection. He is also accused of conspiring to livestream the shooting. However, lawyers representing B
BCOct 14, 2026

Surrey Advance Voting Sees Record Turnout Ahead of Municipal Elections

Advance voting for Surrey’s municipal elections is witnessing a significant increase in voter participation, with today marking the third day and tomorrow the final day of advance polling. According to the latest figures, 15,391 people cast their ballots during the second round of advance voting on October 10. This surpassed the highest daily advance voting turnout recorded during the 2022 municipal elections, when 12,560 people voted on the final day. In comparison, 7,788 ballots were cast during the second round in 2022. Among Surrey’s 10 polling stations, Cloverdale Recreation Centre, F

Related News