Published: 11:33, April 17, 2024 | Updated: 13:12, April 17, 2024
Canada unveils more taxes on rich, EV tax credits in federal budget
By Reuters
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland holds a press conference in the media-lockup prior to tabling the Federal Budget in Ottawa, Ontario, on April 16, 2024. (The CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP)

OTTAWA - Here are some of the key government measures and proposals outlined in the 2023-24 budget presented by Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday:

  • Boost the inclusion rate on capital gains realized annually above $250,000 by individuals and on all capital gains realized by corporations and trusts from one-half to two thirds
  • Deliver a C$15 billion top-up to the Apartment Construction Loan Program to build a minimum of 30,000 new apartments
  • Launch a new C$6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to accelerate the construction and upgrading of critical housing infrastructure
  • Launch a new C$1.5 billion Canada Rental Protection Fund to protect affordable housing and create thousands of new affordable apartments
  • Top-up the Housing Accelerator Fund with an additional C$400 million, so more municipalities can cut red tape, fast-track home construction, and invest in affordable housing.
  • Allow 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time home buyers purchasing newly built homes, effective August 1, 2024
  • Spend C$500 million to support rental housing with low-cost financing through the Apartment Construction Loan Program
  • Offer up to C$5 billion in loan guarantees to unlock access to capital for Indigenous communities, allowing them to invest in oil and gas projects
  • A C$2.4 billion package of measures to boost artificial intelligence. This includes C$2 billion to build and provide access to computing capabilities and technological infrastructure for researchers, start-ups, and scale-ups
  • A new National School Food Program, with an investment of C$1 billion over five years
  • A new Child Care Expansion Loan Program, with C$1 billion in low-cost loans
  • A new 10 percent Electric Vehicle Supply Chain investment tax credit on the cost of buildings used in electric vehicle assembly, electric vehicle battery production and cathode active material production.