2.05°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-affirms-greenlands-sovereignty-amid-renewed-u-s-interest
CanadaDec 24, 2025

Canada affirms Greenland’s sovereignty amid renewed U.S. interest

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has reiterated support for Greenland’s sovereignty following renewed U.S. interest in the self-governing Danish territory. Anand spoke with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Tuesday, emphasizing “Canada’s support for the fundamental importance of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The discussion comes after U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, with Landry stating the role aims to explore “making Greenland a part of the U.S.” Anand is sched
federal-government-pauses-planned-ban-on-single-use-plastic-exports
CanadaDec 24, 2025

Federal government pauses planned ban on single-use plastic exports

The federal government is suspending plans to ban the export of single-use plastics, citing economic pressures linked to tariffs and supply chain disruptions. Officials say these challenges are creating significant strain on the domestic economy. On Saturday, the government opened a 70-day public consultation on the decision through the Canada Gazette, inviting feedback from industry stakeholders and Canadians. According to the notice, the expected environmental gains from restricting plastic exports are not considered proportional to the potential economic impact. The plastics industry genera
western-and-northern-canada-faces-frigid-temperatures-and-snow-ahead-of-christmas
CanadaDec 24, 2025

Western and Northern Canada faces frigid temperatures and snow ahead of Christmas

Much of Western and Northern Canada is bracing for a bitterly cold and snowy Christmas, with Environment Canada issuing a mix of snow advisories and extreme cold warnings across several provinces and territories. Central Alberta is expected to see between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow by Christmas morning, prompting warnings for hazardous travel conditions on highways and local roads. Environment Canada is advising drivers to plan ahead and adjust travel plans where necessary as snowfall continues through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Cold warnings are also in effect across parts of Alberta
WorldDec 24, 2025

Small jet crash near Ankara kills eight, including Libya’s military chief

Eight people were killed after a small jet crashed near Turkey’s capital late Tuesday, including Libya’s Chief of the General Staff, Mohammed al-Haddad, Turkish authorities confirmed. The aircraft went down roughly 30 minutes after takeoff following a reported technical failure. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the Falcon 50 jet disappeared from radar after issuing an emergency landing signal. Wreckage was later found in the Haymana district, south of Ankara, after overnight search and rescue operations by Turkish emergency crews. Those killed in the crash included General a
surrey-guildford-conservative-candidate-withdraws-court-challenge-over-narrow-election-loss
BCDec 24, 2025

Surrey–Guildford Conservative candidate withdraws court challenge over narrow election loss

The B.C. Conservative candidate who narrowly lost the Surrey–Guildford riding in last year’s provincial election has withdrawn his legal challenge of the results, ending a court case that centred on alleged voting irregularities. Honveer Singh Randhawa, who was defeated by 22 votes, said Tuesday he has decided to drop his petition before the B.C. Supreme Court. In a written statement, Randhawa said his legal action had already led to what he described as a material outcome after the province’s chief electoral officer acknowledged that some violations had occurred. In his original filing,

Related News