Defence over diplomacy spotlighted in Liberal budget, with modest initial spending on foreign service reform
The government’s spending plan will add $664.4-million exclusively to GAC, while billions more have been allocated for the Canadian Forces over the next 20 years.
Equity loan guarantees will pave path to economic reconciliation
Dismantling the barriers that have historically impeded Indigenous access to capital allows us to participate fully and fairly in the economy.
The federal carbon-pricing plan’s broken promise to small business
Almost none of the billions of dollars collected in carbon tax revenues have found their way back to SMEs since 2019, leaving them disillusioned and struggling to keep up with the rising cost of doing business.
Environmental groups urge an end to fossil fuel subsidies in two reports outlining Canada’s oil and gas financing
The government gave at least $18.553-billion in financial support in 2023 to fossil fuel and petrochemical firms, including $8-billion worth of loan guarantees for the TransMountain pipeline, $7.339-billion in public financing through Export Development Canada, and over $1.3-billion for carbon capture and storage projects, according to the reports.
Trudeau and Poilievre aren’t focused on what needs to be done
Canada urgently needs a bold growth strategy if we are to face the future with confidence, rather than channelling down into a despairing view that this country is broken and can’t be fixed. If we’re broken, it will be a self-inflicted fate.
Hard to see the ‘big picture’: Canada must improve how budget and estimates are presented, say public finance experts
Many experts say the budget should be presented before the main estimates, possibly on a fixed annual date. Liberal MP John McKay says MPs must ‘mine for the gold’ in the current system, while Tory MP Stephanie Kusie says the entire process must be ‘completely overhauled.’
Public money has no party
Investing in government accountability is a prerequisite for democracy, not a side effect.
Liberals’ pre-budget ‘full-court press’ to win back younger voters a stress test for caucus election readiness, say politicos
Despite flooding the zone ahead of the budget, being aggressive will only take the Liberals so far, and budget announcements without proper execution would bring any momentum to a screeching halt, says former Conservative staffer Andrea Sarkic.
Are Canadians buying what the Liberals are selling in their pre-budget push?
The massive mountain the feds need to overcome for success is what seems to be an already deeply ingrained frustration with the prime minister, his government, and that carbon price.
Close Canada’s financial help gap before it’s too late for struggling households
Canada’s National Financial Literacy Strategy identifies expanding access to ‘trustworthy and affordable financial help’ as a priority, but Ottawa has failed to put money or muscle behind this goal.
