Liberals to unveil 2022 federal budget, announce billions in new spending
Global News
The federal Liberals will unveil their spending plan that will aim to balance promises made to voters during the election, a pact with the NDP, and Canada's global defence allies.
The federal Liberals are set to unveil their latest spending plan today that aims to balance promises made to voters in last year’s election campaign, in the pact with the NDP, and recently to Canada’s global defence allies.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is scheduled to table the budget in the House of Commons this afternoon.
The economy has fared better than anticipated over the past few months, which along with higher prices for oil is expected to pad the government’s bottom line and help offset any new spending to be announced.
Outstanding promises from the Liberals’ campaign platform amount to about $48.5 billion in net new spending, once taking into account new revenues from things like an expected tax on excess bank profits.
Among the promises are measures aimed at addressing housing affordability concerns that have been rising alongside prices and rent since the September vote.
But billions more could be heaped onto federal books to pay for pharmacare and dental care as part of a deal to have New Democrats prop up the minority government, and more for the military as part of an agreement with NATO allies to more quickly ratchet up defence spending.
Speaking Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the budget would show the country’s debt remains affordable, with debt declining over the coming years as a percentage of the national economy.
Dashcam video shows the wild scene as a vehicle crashed into two parked cars at a high speed on Shaunslieve Drive in Bedford.
City of Wetaskiwin officials have issued a statement on the decision to ban Mayor Joe Branco from city hall — but it does little to clarify the ongoing situation.
An Abbotsford woman who was sexually abused as a child is speaking out after suffering years of abuse at the hands of her stepfather, starting at the age of just 12 years old.
Technology Minister Nate Glubish says such images, known as deepfakes, can cause people serious harm and that changing the law should create a new layer of protection.
Renters in Quebec may soon have final say over whether they're allowed to keep pets in their homes following a legal ruling that no-pet clauses in leases violate Charter rights.
Alberta RCMP say they have located a Grey 2022 Ford F-150 involved in the fatal highway shooting of an Edmonton man earlier this month. The suspect remains at large.
Education Minister Paul Calandra, however, said he won't use the notwithstanding clause if he moves to eliminate trustees in Ontario.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would order federal immigration agents to airports to assist TSA. Canadians landing the U.S. should be prepared.
Three overpasses in Saskatoon have been hit in the past three weeks, with charges announced against the driver in the first incident.
Auditor General Karen Hogan says there are critical weaknesses in the integrity controls for the International Student Program.
Return trips by Canadian residents from the U.S. fell 22 per cent in January compared with a year earlier, according to the latest data.
Three byelections are being held on April 13 and the results could have an impact on both the makeup of Parliament and how long it lasts.
Ontario's provincial members of parliament are heading back to Queen's Park Monday, as the legislature sits for the first time since December.