Canada’s Fall Economic Statement highlights big investments in things like crime-fighting and healthcare despite a record high projected deficit.
Today Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada will also continue to protect jobs.
“We are extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy through to June of 2021,” said Freeland. “More than 3.9 million Canadian jobs have been protected by this program alone.”
The national deficit is projected to hit at least $381.6 billion this fiscal year.
In the meantime, the Federal government is pledging $7.5 billion in health and safety spending over the next two years, which will include PPE, ventilation, testing, Indigenous services, substance abuse and long-term care supports.
Close to $1 billion is also being pledged next year for Canada Summer Jobs expansion and new youth job placements.
$250 million will also be spent over five years for anti-gang programs and another $239 million over the next six for an RCMP body camera program for frontline officers.
The government will remove GST/HST from purchases of face masks and shields starting December 7th.
Once the virus is under control the government plans to roll out an up to $100 billion three-year recovery stimulus package.
With Covid-19 surging across Canada, Freeland said the winter ahead will be hard, but that Spring will follow and “we will get through this.”
We will get through this, Canada – better days are coming. We have a plan to get through #COVID19 and recover. We will do whatever it takes to support Canadians and get the economy firmly back on track. https://t.co/V8UWyWJVFV #SupportCdns pic.twitter.com/4eOEtJRUVG
— Finance Canada (@FinanceCanada) November 30, 2020
LIVE NOW: Tune in as I present the Fall Economic Statement – our plan to support Canadians and fight #COVID19. https://t.co/ZBXNyr3XCM
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) November 30, 2020
(Photo via Deputy Prime Minister and Canada Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland Twitter Account)