Canadian budget has election aspects
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Significance
Freeland acknowledged that a rising deficit following escalated public expenditure during the pandemic means an emphasis on fiscal restraint, but she was still able to raise spending on green technology and healthcare. The budget forms part of the platform on which the Liberals are already preparing to fight a possible early election.
Impacts
- The Canadian nuclear industry will see growth as the government regards it as part of the country’s low-carbon future.
- The budget reflects Indigenous issues moving down the political agenda, giving way to pressing economic and security concerns.
- Critical minerals mining will see significant investment under the government’s strategy, increasing opportunities in this sector.
- Provincial governments will try to extract more unconditional healthcare funding from the federal government.
- Planned retrenchment and austerity in the public service make strikes this spring much more likely.
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