National

PBO: Inflation boosts spending on seniors' aid

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Mar, 2022 11:45 AM

OTTAWA - The parliamentary budget officer says federal spending on health care is set to rise over the next 12 months at a faster clip than the government had previously planned.

REPORT: “The Government’s Expenditure Plan and Main Estimates for 2022-23” https://t.co/WBY4eZrV1f #cdnecon #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/bQyoZj4ZqC
— Parliamentary Budget Officer (@PBO_DPB) March 10, 2022

Federal health transfers are calculated to grow by at least three per cent each year, but the budget office says that health-care transfers are set to rise by almost five per cent year-over-year.

The $2.1 billion increase will bring federal spending on health care to $45.2 billion in the coming fiscal year that starts in April.

Budget officer Yves Giroux's report projects that annual federal spending on health care will reach $56.1 billion by 2027.

Recently released federal spending estimates show seniors benefits will increase by $6.7 billion, or 10.9 per cent, from the previous fiscal year, partly because of high inflation rates to which the value of payments are pegged.

Total spending on old age security next year is projected to hit $68.3 billion and includes $740 million for a one-time payment to seniors who saw a clawback in benefits after they received emergency aid at the start of the pandemic.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Freeland asked to scrap carbon capture tax credit

More than 400 Canadian climate scientists and other academics are pleading with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to scrap her plan to create a tax credit for companies that build carbon capture and storage facilities. Freeland floated the idea of the tax credit in last year's federal budget and consultations to design it ended just before Christmas.

Freeland asked to scrap carbon capture tax credit

Canada Post seeking clarification on mask policy

Canada Post says it is seeking "clarification" from the federal government about face masks after drawing criticism for refusing to let employees bring their own N95 masks to work. The Crown corporation earlier this week said employees had to use a Canada Post-issued cloth mask or disposable medical mask, or they would be sent home.

Canada Post seeking clarification on mask policy

Four people were hospitalized in three separate stabbings on the Downtown Eastside yesterday.

In a statement, Supt. Duncan Pound of B.C.'s anti-gang squad says its investigations into the shootings in Langley, Surrey and Coquitlam — in which one person was killed and the bystanders were hurt — indicate they appear to be connected to the drug trade.

Four people were hospitalized in three separate stabbings on the Downtown Eastside yesterday.

Russia cyber warning emerges amid Ukraine crisis

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, a branch of the Communications Security Establishment, said it was "aware of foreign cyber threat activities, including by Russian-backed actors, to target Canadian critical infrastructure network operators, their operational and information technology."

Russia cyber warning emerges amid Ukraine crisis

Canadian troops in Latvia at 'high readiness'

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Lt.-Col. Dan Richel says his 1,000-strong unit, which includes about 350 Canadian soldiers, is trained and equipped to help defend Latvian territory in the event of an attack.

Canadian troops in Latvia at 'high readiness'

Man shot in Guildford residence

On January 20, 2022, at 1:44 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to the report of a man shot inside a residence in the 8700-block of 152 Street. Police arrived on scene and located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.