Pivot to ‘economic reconciliation’ risks ‘squandering’ political goodwill as Indigenous social programs face funding gaps: observers
First Nations and Inuit leaders say the 2025 budget is a ‘missed opportunity’ with financial sunsets looming for critical education, health-care, and urban programs.
Coastal communities ‘running out of time’ without fisheries fund renewal, say opposition critics as DFO faces $544M in cuts
While the government is fast-tracking national projects, it’s ‘reducing DFO’s ability to assess the risks these projects pose to critically important species like salmon,’ says B.C. professor Michael Price.
Liberals ‘live another day’ narrowly win budget vote, avoid election
Four abstentions and a last-minute Green olive branch from Elizabeth May helped shepherd the Liberals’ budget through the House with a vote of 170-168.
Skeptics say billions of dollars in AI-driven government efficiencies ‘fiscally dubious’
Despite the budget’s projections, grand promises of technology heralding big savings and government efficiency is evoking the memory of the disastrous Phoenix pay system for some observers.
Budget signals strong economic focus, but falls short in details like regulatory burden or clarity on defence spending, say experts, economists
‘There’s an urgency that if we don’t go big, then we’re going to fall short,’ says Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada.
Budget 2025 is more of the same
The budget has positive measures, but it fails to provide a credible plan for the future. What is the Carney government’s vision for the future?
A budget that meets the moment
The financial plan tabled on Nov. 4 it is a statement of intent that Canada will compete, build, and lead as a strong, secure, and sovereign nation.
Canada’s foreign aid budget cuts hurt global health
The $2.7-billion cut places Canada’s reputation in jeopardy on the world stage, and will leave the most vulnerable to simply fend for themselves.
Canada at a crossroads as history repeats itself
We have not learned the lessons of 1995, when that NAFTA era budget dramatically reduced social spending and gutted the civil service. Once again, Canada is meeting a moment with a budget that abandons people and the environment to fuel corporate growth.
Liberals’ ‘quiet confidence’ the best move as budget ‘dominoes’ fall with the Conservative caucus count, say politicos
‘If you’re the Liberals, you let this play out,’ and don’t get in the way of any opposition mistakes that may ultimately ease the passage of the budget, says Summa Strategies’ Tim Powers.
