OTTAWA — As Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government prepares to table its next federal budget on November 4, Ottawa has begun unveiling key measures aimed at boosting public safety, cutting red tape, and supporting families and low-income Canadians.
Here’s what’s been announced so far:
- October 20 — National Anti-Fraud Strategy:
The upcoming budget will include Canada’s first-ever whole-of-government anti-fraud strategy, directing banks to adopt stricter detection and prevention policies. The government also plans to develop a voluntary Economic Abuse Code of Conduct and introduce legislation by next spring to establish a Financial Crimes Agency to tackle fraud, money laundering, and financial exploitation. - October 17 — Strengthening Border Security:
The Liberals say they will fulfill a campaign promise to hire 1,000 additional Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, at a cost of $617.7 million over five years, to enhance border safety and reduce wait times. - October 16 — Expanding the RCMP:
Ottawa will allocate $1.8 billion over four years to hire 1,000 more RCMP members, including 150 specialists focused on money laundering, organized crime, and cyber fraud. The plan also raises the RCMP cadet training allowance to $1,000 per week, aimed at improving recruitment and retention across Canada. - October 10 — Supporting Low-Income Canadians:
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will begin preparing pre-filled tax returns for more low-income Canadians with simple tax situations, helping ensure they receive all eligible federal benefits automatically. - October 10 — Permanent School Food Program:
Ottawa will make the national school food program permanent, providing $216 million annually to support healthy meals for children across the country. - October 10 — Reviving the “Canada Strong Pass”:
The government will relaunch the Canada Strong Pass for the upcoming holiday season and next summer, offering free access to national parks and museums, along with discounted Via Rail fares for young adults.
These pre-budget announcements reflect the Carney government’s focus on affordability, safety, and accessibility — a blend of economic prudence and social policy designed to appeal to middle-class Canadians ahead of the next election cycle.