Winners & Losers
WIN
Seniors get lower minimum withdrawal limits for their registered retirement income funds and a new tax credit for home improvements to improve accessibility.
LOSE
The federal public service, which is in contract negotiations, got notice that the government intends to save $900 million by revamping sick-leave policies, one way or another.
WIN
Commuters caught in big-city gridlock will get major infrastructure dollars to help to start easing that congestion.
LOSE
The Canadian military gets more money, but the extra cash doesn’t begin to flow for two years.
WIN
In addition to previously announced new childcare benefits and income splitting for couples with children, families will also get increased benefits to care for gravely ill family members.
LOSE
Tax dodgers will be up against a beefed-up tax-compliance program at the Canada Revenue Agency, gets $58.2 million over five years to chase them down.
WIN
Small businesses will see their tax rate drop in stages to nine per cent in 2019 from 11 per cent today.
LOSE
Foreign aid gets no increase, despite a recent OECD report showing Canada’s aid spending is stagnant compared with that of other developed countries.
WIN
Farming and fishing families will see their lifetime capital gains exemption rise to $1 million from $813,600 today.
LOSE
As with all federal budgets, there are winners and losers in the latest document. Here’s a look at who gets goodies and who doesn’t.
Climate change doesn’t even merit a mention in the budget section entitled “Protecting Canada’s Environment.” The document promises money for species at risk and conservation programs, but nothing new on greenhouse gas emissions.
WIN
The RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Canada Border Services Agency get $292.6 million over five years to fight terrorism and enforce the government’s new anti-terror law.
LOSE
Adults who were looking for a fitness tax credit, promised by the Conservatives in 2011, will have to settle for a study of the issue by an expert panel.
WIN
Manufacturers, who get a tax break on machinery and equipment.
LOSE
The oil and gas industry, once the government’s favourite economic driver, gets no mention at all, besides some small tax breaks for the liquefied natural gas industry.