Conservation, women and science are the big ticket items in the Federal Budget released Tuesday, February 27, which includes $21.5-billion in new spending.

But don't expect to see the defecit or debt go down any time soon, as the Feds expect to have an $18.1 billion deficit for 2018-19 which they say should shrink to $12.3 billion in 2022-23.

One of the main highlights is a National Pharmacare program headed by former Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins.

There is $191 million in the budget over five years to support jobs in the softwood lumber industry.

Cyber security issues will see some new cash with $155.2 million over five years for a new Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and $116 million over five years for the RCMP to create a national Cybercrime Co-ordination Unit.

As promised, the Government will spend $90.6 million over five years to track down tax evaders, adding $41.9 million over five years and $9.3 million a year thereafter to help Canada's courts deal with the additional caseload.

They will spend $3.2 billion over five years for Canadian Science and Research.

A new employment insurance parental sharing benefit will get $1.2 billion over five years and $344.7 million a year afterward.

That would provide additional use-it-or-lose-it benefits for father's or parents of adopted children to encourage women to re-enter the workforce.

More information on Tuesday's budget can be found on the Government's Website.

 

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