2016 Federal Budget

The Federal Government released their 2016 budget on Tuesday, March 22. The budget highlighted the Governments’ intent to invest in Canada’s communities. As part of the Government’s Phase 1 commitments, Budget 2016 proposes initial social infrastructure investments totaling $3.4 billion over five years. These investments will help expand affordable housing (including shelters for victims of violence), support early learning and child care, renew cultural and recreational infrastructure, and improve community health care facilities on reserve. $1.2 billion will be invested in First Nations, Inuit and northern communities. The feds also voices concerns in regards to providing all Canadians with housing that is safe, adequate and affordable. In order to give Canadians greater access to more affordable housing, Budget 2016 proposes to invest $2.3 billion over two years, starting in 2016–17. Of this amount, $2.2 billion reflects the Government’s commitment to invest in social infrastructure, including $739 million for First Nations, Inuit and northern housing. A significant portion of the $2.3 billion investment will be allocated to provinces and territories, which can identify communities where the need for affordable housing is greatest. Follow link below for full budget: