Wednesday, March 18, 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

StatCan says income and wealth gap grew wider in third quarter

StatCan says income and wealth gap grew wider in third quarter
The gap between the country's highest earning and wealthiest households and those at the bottom end grew in the third quarter of last year as strong financial market gains benefited the rich.

StatCan says income and wealth gap grew wider in third quarter

Heavy rain returns to B.C.'s south coast, including parts of Metro Vancouver

Heavy rain returns to B.C.'s south coast, including parts of Metro Vancouver
Parts of British Columbia's south coast, including Metro Vancouver, are under a rainfall warning, as to 100 millimetres is expected over the next 24 hours.

Heavy rain returns to B.C.'s south coast, including parts of Metro Vancouver

Eby calls reported meeting between Alberta separatists and U.S. officials 'treason'

Eby calls reported meeting between Alberta separatists and U.S. officials 'treason'
A reported meeting between individuals in the Alberta separatist movement and White House officials amounts to "treason," British Columbia Premier David Eby said Thursday in Ottawa.

Eby calls reported meeting between Alberta separatists and U.S. officials 'treason'

Carney, premiers say they're 'united' ahead of upcoming CUSMA review

Carney, premiers say they're 'united' ahead of upcoming CUSMA review
Prime Minister Mark Carney and the premiers said Thursday they're maintaining a united front under the long shadow of the upcoming negotiations for the review of North America's key free trade agreement.

Carney, premiers say they're 'united' ahead of upcoming CUSMA review

B.C.-based Pattison says it did not know warehouse was to become ICE facility

B.C.-based Pattison says it did not know warehouse was to become ICE facility
A gigantic warehouse across the street from an outdoor equipment store has become a flashpoint in Virginia as the U.S. grapples with the Trump administration's immigration crackdown — and a British Columbia company has been pulled into the fray.

B.C.-based Pattison says it did not know warehouse was to become ICE facility

Canadian companies criticized over ties to U.S. immigration enforcement

Canadian companies criticized over ties to U.S. immigration enforcement
Canadian companies are coming under fire over their ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as U.S. President Donald Trump pursues a mass deportation campaign to expel vast numbers of immigrants.

Canadian companies criticized over ties to U.S. immigration enforcement