Tuesday, March 17, 2026
ADVT 
National

Details of federal spending review to be released in 'coming days'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Mar, 2026 10:20 AM
  • Details of federal spending review to be released in 'coming days'

Canadians are expected to learn soon which programs will be affected by the federal government's cost-cutting review.

Appearing before the House committee on government operations Tuesday, Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada Bill Matthews said departmental plans for programs affected by cuts should be tabled "in the coming days."

The government's Comprehensive Expenditure Review was launched in July 2025, and most ministers have been asked to find ways to cut their departments' program spending by 15 per cent over three years.

Matthews said federal organizations were told to find "operational efficiencies" and to target programs and activities that are underperforming, overlap with other programs or are not aligned with government priorities.

Appearing before the same committee today, Public Service Alliance of Canada national president Sharon DeSousa said the government needs to be honest about which programs and services will be affected.

She said cutting public services can cost taxpayers more in the long term and can lead to slower service delivery, reduced administrative capacity and stalled progress on departmental and legal obligations.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

MORE National ARTICLES

Prime Minister Carney returning to B.C. one week after mass shooting

Prime Minister Carney returning to B.C. one week after mass shooting
Prime Minister Mark Carney is returning to B.C. today less than a week after he attended a vigil honouring the victims of a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

Prime Minister Carney returning to B.C. one week after mass shooting

Tough sell for B.C. budget featuring tax hike, record deficit and construction delays

Tough sell for B.C. budget featuring tax hike, record deficit and construction delays
British Columbia's finance minister has started to sell her "tough" budget, but at least one business leader says Brenda Bailey should have made deeper cuts because of the "scary" deficit numbers. 

Tough sell for B.C. budget featuring tax hike, record deficit and construction delays

B.C. budget eyes staffing but finance minister says no big service cuts or tax hikes

B.C. budget eyes staffing but finance minister says no big service cuts or tax hikes
The British Columbia government won't be making big service cuts or raising taxes in the 2026 budget, even as it faces a projected $11.2 billion deficit.

B.C. budget eyes staffing but finance minister says no big service cuts or tax hikes

Janice Charette to be Canada's top trade negotiator during CUSMA review

Janice Charette to be Canada's top trade negotiator during CUSMA review
Canada's former top public servant Janice Charette will serve as the country's chief trade negotiator to the United States during a crucial review of the North American free-trade pact, Prime Minister Mark Carney's office announced on Monday.

Janice Charette to be Canada's top trade negotiator during CUSMA review

Carney strategy for defence industry pledges 125,000 jobs, sweeping policy changes

Carney strategy for defence industry pledges 125,000 jobs, sweeping policy changes
The Liberal government is making sweeping changes to the way it approaches supporting the domestic defence industry, as Canada looks to transition away from overreliance on the United States for military gear.

Carney strategy for defence industry pledges 125,000 jobs, sweeping policy changes

Youth charged in shooting that sent 15-year-old to hospital in Nanaimo, B.C.

Youth charged in shooting that sent 15-year-old to hospital in Nanaimo, B.C.
Police on Vancouver Island say a 17-year-old boy has been charged after a shooting last week sent a 15-year-old victim to hospital. 

Youth charged in shooting that sent 15-year-old to hospital in Nanaimo, B.C.