Edelman Canada shares highlights from the 2017 Canadian Federal Budget. To learn more about Edelman Canada, please visit www.edelman.ca.

1. Edelman Ottawa | 155 Queen St. Suite 1302 | Ottawa, ON K1P 6L1 | 1.613.569.9000
2017 FEDERAL BUDGET UPDATE
OUR PERSPECTIVE – A BUDGET BUILT FOR UNCERTAINTY
Bob Richardson
Executive Vice-President & National Practice Lead
416.849.1913 | bob.richardson@edelman.com
Darcy Walsh
Senior Vice President & General Manager
613.569.9000 | darcy.walsh@edelman.com
Christopher Vivone
Senior Vice President
613.569.9000 | chris.vivone@edelman.com
BY THE NUMBERS
Finance Minister Bill Morneau struck a
stay-the-course tone with his second
budget, Building A Stronger Middle Class.
This is the first federal budget to contain a
Gender Based Analysis, identifying through
data the ways in which public policies affect
women and men differently – further proof
that women are considered key to the
Liberals’ re-election efforts.
This will also be the last budget the Federal
Liberals will bring forward with a leaderless
opposition. The Conservatives and New
Democrats will be electing new leaders later
this year.
The Trudeau government has made
the middle class their focus and governing
mantra. To that end, Budget 2017 is largely
an extension of the 2016 Budget and
2016 Fall Economic Statement, building
out their previously announced spending on
infrastructure, innovation and skills training.
Canada-US relations remain the top priority
for the government, and what’s most
important about Budget 2017 is what it
doesn’t include.
With the Trump Administration’s tax
plan expected in mid-May, and NAFTA
renegotiations not expected to begin until
later in the year, it will likely be the 2017
Fall Economic Statement that will contain
specifics on defense spending, taxation,
and a more detailed response to the Trump
Administration’s trade and commerce
policies.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Billions
Projected Deficits:
2020/212019/202018/19
Deficit for
2017/18
$28.5
billion
$27.4
billion
$23.4
billion
$21.7
billion
Debt as a percentage of GDP
for 2017/18 (projected)
31.6%
Nominal GDP Growth
2.0% 2016 (actual)
4.1% 2017 (projected)

2. Edelman Ottawa | 155 Queen St. Suite 1302 | Ottawa, ON K1P 6L1 | 1.613.569.9000
2017 FEDERAL BUDGET UPDATE
KEY THEMES & HIGHLIGHTS
Innovation & Skills Training
›› Up to $950 million over five years, starting in 2017/18, to be provided on a
competitive basis in support of a small number of business-led innovation
superclusters that have the greatest potential to accelerate economic growth
such as; clean tech, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, health/
bio-sciences, clean resources and agri-food, as well as infrastructure and
transportation.
›› $50 million over two years to support organizations delivering digital skills
training to girls and boys from kindergarten to grade 12.
›› Increased federal funding through the Labour Market Transfer Agreements to
Provinces by $2.7 billion over six years.
›› An additional $400 million through the Business Development Bank of Canada
on a cash basis over three years, beginning in 2017/18, for a new Venture Capital
Catalyst Initiative.
Infrastructure
›› No mention of a plan to privatize airports or ports.
›› The Government will accelerate the implementation of the Canada
Infrastructure Bank, with the goal of having the Canada Infrastructure Bank
operational in late 2017.
›› The introduction of a National Housing Strategy, supported by an investment of
more than $11.2 billion over 11 years, starting in 2017/18.
›› New investments of $21.9 billion over 11 years to support social infrastructure in
Canadian communities.
›› Budget 2017 proposes to provide $2 billion over 11 years to support a National
Trade Corridors Fund to address urgent capacity constraints and freight
bottlenecks at major ports of entry, and to better connect the rail and highway
infrastructure that delivers economic growth across Canada.
Tax Reform
›› No increase in the capital gains tax.
›› Broadly closing loopholes and investing an additional $523.9 million – over five
years – to prevent tax evasion and improve tax compliance.
›› Federal Excise Tax on Alcohol – up 2%.
›› Ride sharing services (e.g. Uber) now required to charge & pay GST/HST.
›› 15% Public Transit Tax Credit – Eliminated.
STAKEHOLDER REACTIONS
“From a taxpayers point of view this budget is a nightmare scenario, we have the Liberals borrowing way
beyond the $10M deficit promise, no plan to create the jobs we need in Canada right now, and we have
taxes going up – this is a bad day for the tax payers of Canada.”
- Hon. Rona Ambrose, PC, MP, Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
“I have been travelling the country and have heard from Canadians about the realities of job loss, crushing
household debt and retirement insecurity…Unfortunately, today’s budget failed to deliver the change
promised by the Prime Minister to start closing the gap between the rich and everyone else.”
- Tom Mulcair, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
“Business needs a modern, well-trained and constantly-evolving workforce to compete in the
economy of the 21st Century. We commend the government for its measures on skills, but urge
it to do more to ensure our businesses can compete on all levels.”
- Perrin Beatty, President CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
“The Federal Budget is broadly being viewed as a cautious step forward in Prime Minister
Trudeau’s mandate. With total expenditures of $304.7 billion, there was only $1.3 billion in new
spending announced. Some of the more controversial proposals that had been rumored - such
as a capital gains tax increase and the sale of airports - were not included in the budget, but
may in future budgets.”
- James Moore, former Conservative cabinet minister
“The payroll budgets of every business and the take home pay for Canadian workers will now drop
for six straight years, with an EI hike in 2018 and 5 years of CPP premium hikes starting in 2019.”
Dan Kelly, President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)