2014 FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS
OTTAWA — Here’s an ata-glance summary of the federal government’s relatively quiet budget. Among other measures, the government will: Allocate $305 million over the next two years to expand broadband infrastructure to rural communities. Look to change the publicsector pension system to be a 50/50 split and “implement a disability and sick leave management system that is modern, comprehensive, and responsive to the needs of all employees.” Give veterans released on medical leave top priority in Canada’s public service, ahead of laid off and surplus bureaucrats Create a $100-billion Canada Apprentice Loan to give registered apprentices access to up to $4,000 worth of interest-free loans while they are taking part in technical training. The government expects the program to cost $25.2 million over the first two years and $15.2 million each year thereafter. Renew the duty-free status of offshore oil and gas drilling units. Take billions off their balance sheet through delayed military procurement projects. Set aside about $500 million over two years for the building of a new Detroit-Windsor, Ont. bridge. Put $48 million over the next two years into a new bridge over the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, with an additional $237 million allocated for repairs on the deteriorating Champlain Bridge.
Try to clear up red tape for brewers to allow for freer production of craft beers and, at the same time, will introduce legislation to allow beer and liquor to be brought across provincial lines, in the same way wine can be.
Funnel an additional half-billion dollars into the Automotive Innovation Fund to carmakers and auto part manufacturers.
Increase the price of a carton of cigarettes by $4.03 — to $21.03 — as the government increases the excise taxes on tobacco. Finance expects to raise $1.4 billion over the next three years thanks to the increases.
Over the next two years find another $10 million — on top of the $25 million already doled out to snowmobilers — to “improve and expand” snowmobile trails across the Great White North.
Set aside almost $400 million over the next five years for Parks Canada to improve its highways, bridges and dams in national parks and canals. Keep EI premiums frozen. Use $200 million over the next five years for a “National Disaster Mitigation Program” with an additional $40 million for First Nations.
Over the course of the next decade, will put $1.5 billion — an average of $150 million annually — into a Canada First Research Excellence Fund to be dolled out to post-secondary institutions.
The government says it is on track to eliminate the deficit by 2015, with an expected surplus of $6.4 billion. This year, the deficit is projected to be $2.9 billion.