National

Defence expected to find operational savings even as budget balloons: Ottawa

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Jul, 2025 10:29 AM

Ottawa is expecting national defence to find places to cut its day-to-day spending even as the department's overall budget balloons in the coming years.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to ministers on Monday asking them to find savings of 7.5 per cent in their budgets starting in fiscal 2026.

The ask rises to 10 per cent the following year and 15 per cent in cuts in 2028.

Champagne's spokesperson Audrey Milette says the Department of National Defence will also have to find savings from its day-to-day costs.

She says the policy speaks to Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to balance the operating side of Ottawa's budget in the coming years even as he commits to rapidly increase defence spending to meet NATO targets.

The union representing public service workers warned Tuesday of widespread job losses and reduced services if Ottawa's planned cuts materialize.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Liberals advance voting begins, Mark Carney still frontrunner

With the debates now done, Liberal party members can start casting advance ballots today to select their next leader a little under two weeks from now. They can cast their ranked ballot choices by mail or in some instances by phone, and each electoral district counts for 100 points in the race.

Liberals advance voting begins, Mark Carney still frontrunner

Media, telecom firms ask CRTC to ease up on regulation as they compete with streaming

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding consultations on how the Canadian broadcasting system can survive the shift away from traditional TV to international streamers. It’s a part of the regulator’s work on implementing the Online Streaming Act, which updated broadcasting laws to capture online platforms.

Media, telecom firms ask CRTC to ease up on regulation as they compete with streaming

White House says tariffs moving forward but there's still room for negotiation

Trump's executive order to implement 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy, was delayed until March 4 after Canada agreed to introduce new security measures at the border. The president said the pause would allow time to reach a "final economic deal."

White House says tariffs moving forward but there's still room for negotiation

Poll shows Freeland a close second on first ballot in Liberal leadership race

A new poll suggests that while former central banker Mark Carney is still the odds-on favourite to win the Liberal leadership, he isn't likely to win on the first ballot. A Mainstreet Research survey shows Carney with a solid lead among registered Liberals — and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland coming in second.

Poll shows Freeland a close second on first ballot in Liberal leadership race

Ambulance with two paramedics and patient involved in crash in Nanaimo

Police are investigating a crash between an ambulance and a vehicle in Nanaimo. A statement from the RCMP says officers were able to determine that the ambulance, with two paramedics and one patient onboard, was travelling northbound Tuesday morning when it was struck broadside at an intersection by an older model vehicle travelling westbound.

Ambulance with two paramedics and patient involved in crash in Nanaimo

Rustad says B.C. Conservatives having 'family' issues, amid defiance and disunity

B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says the party is having "family" issues ahead of its annual general meeting, with his attorney general critic defying his wishes and a lack of unity on display in the legislature. But Rustad says the Opposition party supports free speech and free voting among its caucus, dismissing suggestions he could face a leadership contest at the weekend meeting.