Stage set for historic federal budget as COVID-19 continues to rage

Apr 18, 2021 | 8:51 AM

OTTAWA — The stage is set for arguably the most important federal budget in recent memory, as the Liberal government prepares to unveil its plan for Canada’s post-pandemic recovery even as a third wave of COVID-19 rages across the country.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will present the budget to the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, more than two years after the Liberals’ last such spending plan was unveiled.

The differences between then and now can’t be understated, as not only did the Liberals lose their majority government in the interim, but COVID-19 has upended the lives of Canadians everywhere.

While the Liberals have portrayed the budget as their vision for shaping Canada’s economy for a post-pandemic world, they are also facing pressure to better support people and businesses now struggling with the third wave of COVID-19.