17.41°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

downtown-vancouver-stranger-assault-vpd-seeks-witnesses
BCAug 14, 2026

Downtown Vancouver stranger assault: VPD seeks witnesses

Vancouver Police are investigating a random assault that left a man seriously injured near Nelson and Richards streets. Police say a couple was walking back to their hotel after attending a concert at around 11:45 p.m. when a stranger approached from behind and punched one of them in the face. The victim fell and struck his head on the pavement. The suspect then fled toward Granville Street. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 5'5" to 5'8" tall, aged 20 to 35, with a medium build. He was reportedly wearing fingerless gl
CanadaAug 14, 2026

Greer Takes Tough Stance Amid Canada-U.S. Tariff Talks

As Canada continues efforts to secure a tariff deal with the United States, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has issued a strong response. Speaking to reporters in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday, Greer said the proposed 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods are not a sudden decision. He said they are a response to retaliatory measures previously imposed by Canada against U.S. products. Greer criticized Canada for imposing retaliatory tariffs rather than engaging directly with Washington, comparing the approach to the strategy used by countries such as China. He pointed to Canadian measure
vancouver-mayor-ken-sim-seeks-public-safety-referendum
BCAug 14, 2026

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim Seeks Public Safety Referendum

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is calling for a public referendum on public safety issues to be held alongside the municipal elections in October, while also sharply criticizing B.C. Premier David Eby. Sim’s ABC Vancouver party has proposed adding two questions to the municipal election ballot. The first would ask voters whether the city should strengthen its bylaws to restrict open drug use. The second would seek public support for pressuring the provincial government to build a treatment facility with more than 100 beds for people dealing with mental illness and addiction. Sim questioned the prov
BCAug 14, 2026

Highway 97 in Summerland Temporarily Reopens Under Strict Rules

Highway 97 in Summerland, B.C., which had been closed due to wildfire activity, has been temporarily reopened under strict traffic restrictions. According to the Ministry of Transportation, the highway will only be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During these hours, drivers are strictly prohibited from stopping anywhere along the highway. All exits and side roads leading off the highway will also remain closed, and speed restrictions are in place. The government has warned that the area remains an active wildfire zone, meaning conditions could change at any time. Drivers have been instructed
rcmp-seeks-public-assistance-in-locating-amandeep-singh
BCAug 14, 2026

RCMP seeks public assistance in locating Amandeep Singh

The RCMP is asking for the public’s help in locating 45-year-old Amandeep Singh, who was reported missing on August 8, 2026. Singh was last seen on August 6, 2026. He is described as South Asian, approximately 5 feet 7 inches (154 cm) tall and weighing 172 pounds (78 kg). He has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone who may have information about Amandeep Singh’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Related News