National News
Children and families listen as Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during an announcement at a community centre in Ottawa, on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
What the federal Liberals are pitching in their upcoming budget
Published 11:59 PDT, Fri October 17, 2025
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The federal government has started previewing items that will be included in the federal budget set to be introduced on Nov. 4.
Here is a running list of what has been announced by the Liberals ahead of budget day.
Oct. 17: The Liberal government says it's fulfilling a campaign promise in its upcoming budget with funding to hire 1,000 more Canada Border Services Agency officers. It's expected to cost $617.7 million over five years.
Oct. 16: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa plans to hire 1,000 more Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel, including 150 staffers who will focus on money laundering, organized crime and online fraud. The government says it will spend $1.8 billion over four years to boost federal policing capacity across Canada to combat crime. Funding will also go to increasing the RCMP cadet recruitment allowance to $1,000 per week.
Oct. 10: Carney and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne hold a press conference to preview three programs in the upcoming federal budget. The Liberals say the Canada Revenue Agency will prepare pre-filled tax returns for more low-income people with simple tax situations to ensure they get access to benefit programs.
Oct. 10: Carney announces the government will make the national school food program permanent with $216 million in annual funding.
Oct. 10: Carney says his government is reviving the "Canada Strong pass" for the holiday season and next summer. That program, which was part of the Liberals' election platform and was launched last summer, offers free admission to parks and museums and discounts for young adults travelling on Via Rail.
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