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Free-spending federal budget contains measures to boost women in the workforce, Indigenous services and science funding

The 2018 fiscal blueprint builds on the priorities laid out by the Liberals in their previous two budgets and eyes next year’s election with promises of goodies to come such as a national pharmacare program.

5 min read

OTTAWA—The Liberal government has unveiled another free-spending budget that doubles down on a progressive agenda with billions to boost women in the workforce, to back a feminist foreign aid agenda, and improve Indigenous services, along with record support for science and innovation.

The 2018 fiscal blueprint — revealed by federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Tuesday — builds on priorities laid out by the Liberals in their previous two budgets. It especially eyes next year’s election with fuzzy promises of goodies to come such as a national pharmacare program — a clear play to steal votes from New Democrats who claim it as their idea.

Bruce Campion-Smith

Bruce Campion-Smith is the Editorial Page Editor and based in Ottawa. Reach him via email: bcsmith@thestar.ca

Tonda MacCharles

Tonda MacCharles is Ottawa Bureau Chief and a senior reporter covering federal politics. Follow her on Twitter: @tondamacc.

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