The federal government’s 2025 budget has pledged to make the National School Food Program a permanent fixture of Canadian education, with $216.6 million in annual funding beginning in 2029 — building on the $1 billion already committed for the program’s first five years.

The initiative aims to ensure that every child in Canada has access to nutritious meals at school. However, experts caution that the move does not mean free lunches for all students, and significant coordination will be required across provinces and territories to make the system equitable and sustainable.

At two schools in north Etobicoke, about 80 students join the breakfast club daily, enjoying cereal, fruit, and yogurt before class. But as Khudaija Sheikh of Albion Neighbourhood Services notes, limited funding keeps expansion out of reach for many families already struggling between “a roof over their heads or groceries on the table.”

Researchers say that while the federal commitment provides a “solid foundation,” the program will only succeed if provinces, municipalities, and community organizations also contribute.

“The current amount isn’t enough for the kind of hot, daily lunch most families imagine,” says Amberley Ruetz, a University of Saskatchewan researcher. She estimates that a U.S.-style universal lunch program could cost $6.50 per student per day, pushing the total national cost into the billions.

Newfoundland and Labrador — the first province to sign a three-year agreement under the national plan — has already expanded its School Lunch Association model to reach half of its 63,000 students, up from one-third last year. Executive director John Finn welcomes the progress but stresses that long-term success will depend on shared investment from governments, donors, and families.

“Federal investment doesn’t mean free lunch,” Finn said. “Every level of government needs to play its part.”

In Ontario, community organizations like the Sharing Place Food Centre have been filling the gaps by subsidizing groceries for school programs by 50%. Its director Chris Peacock notes that rising food prices have forced schools to switch from fresh meals to cheaper “fillers” such as granola bars.

“One in three kids in our region are food insecure,” he said. “The funding helps, but we need provinces to step up and unify what’s now a fractured system.”

Advocates hope that with coordinated policies, the permanent School Food Program could evolve into a universal, locally supported model, ensuring that no child in Canada goes hungry at school.

The federal government has earmarked over $55 million in the 2025 budget to design a new national emergency alert system, fulfilling a key recommendation from the Mass Casualty Commission that reviewed the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, which claimed 22 lives.

The current National Public Alerting System, known as Alert Ready, broadcasts urgent warnings about public safety threats and natural disasters through cellphones, TV, and radio. It is jointly managed by federal, provincial, and territorial governments, along with private partners.

The commission had sharply criticized the RCMP for failing to use the alert system during the 2020 rampage, instead relying on Twitter updates. Families of victims said a timely alert could have saved lives.

Darcy Dobson, whose mother Heather O’Brien, a nurse, was among the victims, said she remains “cautiously optimistic” about the announcement.

“A public alert would have prevented the murders of many innocent people, including my own mother,” Dobson said. “But this funding must lead to real, meaningful change.”

Currently, Ontario-based Pelmorex Corp. operates Alert Ready for the government — a setup some experts say limits transparency and flexibility.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on improving alert accessibility, including multilingual alerts and broader coverage nationwide.

Nova Scotia officials welcomed the federal funding, noting the province’s progress since the tragedy. In August, it launched the NS Alert app, which delivers real-time emergency updates via 3G and Wi-Fi networks on both Android and iOS.

“The province welcomes collaboration and federal support to ensure the safety of all Canadians,” said Sarah Sibley, a provincial spokesperson.

According to the budget, Public Safety Canada will receive $55.4 million over four years starting in 2026–27, followed by $13.4 million annually to sustain the new alerting model.

The proposed overhaul marks one of the first tangible federal responses to the Mass Casualty Commission’s findings, signaling Ottawa’s intent to modernize how Canadians are warned during crises.

BIOTECanada, the national industry association representing Canada’s biotechnology and life sciences sector, has praised the 2025 Federal Budget for delivering “breakthrough wins” that strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and economic resilience.

In a statement released via Business Wire, BIOTECanada said the budget’s measures will accelerate investment, research, and regulatory modernization—helping Canada position itself as a global leader in biotechnology and a key driver of sustainable growth.

Key Announcements and Investments

The federal budget identifies life sciences as a strategic national sector, prioritizing it under major innovation and financing programs, including:

• A $1-billion Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI) with a dedicated directive for life sciences investment.

• The expansion of SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) eligibility to support early-stage R&D.

• A more competitive intellectual property (IP) regime to protect and scale Canadian innovations.

• Dual-use technology commitments, supporting advancements that serve both civilian and defence applications.

“The government clearly recognizes life sciences as a strategic driver of Canada’s economy,” said Wendy Zatylny, President and CEO of BIOTECanada.
“These measures strengthen the full innovation continuum—from early-stage research to scale-up investment—helping companies grow in Canada, attract global capital, and anchor more of the value chain at home.”

Sector Significance

Canada’s life sciences industry employs thousands of skilled professionals, drives innovation in health, environment, and food security, and attracts significant foreign direct investment.

Globally, countries are increasingly treating biotechnology as a pillar of economic and national security. Canada’s investments position it to capitalize on this momentum, fostering a robust foundation for future growth.

BIOTECanada noted that continued collaboration between government and industry will be essential to translate these policy commitments into long-term competitiveness and sustainable economic impact.

About BIOTECanada

BIOTECanada represents over 200 member organizations spanning pre-commercial biotech startups, global pharmaceutical firms, venture investors, accelerators, and academic institutions.

The association advocates for biotechnology as a critical tool in addressing human health, food sustainability, and climate challenges — areas increasingly central to Canada’s global leadership goals.

“A strong life sciences sector depends on consistent, connected policy—from SR&ED research to venture capital support. The 2025 budget helps complete that continuum,” Zatylny added.

For more information, visit www.biotech.ca.

(Source: Business Wire)

Ottawa: Canada’s top public servant, Michael Sabia, has warned that the 2025 Federal Budget’s cost-cutting plan will result in the loss of approximately 40,000 public service jobs as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s effort to rein in government spending.

In a memo sent to federal employees following the tabling of the government’s first budget, Sabia — the Clerk of the Privy Council — said the commitment to cut $60 billion over five years will bring “real consequences” for workers and their families.

“That number has real consequences for people who serve their country and for their families. I am not going to try to diminish those consequences — they are real,” Sabia wrote.

Programs to Be Reduced or Terminated

Sabia explained that to meet the Carney government’s fiscal targets, several federal programs will be scaled back, narrowed in scope, or terminated altogether.

“In all, the public service will need about 40,000 fewer people, including some reductions already underway,” the memo said.

These cuts will only proceed once the federal budget passes Parliament later this month.

Swift Decisions and Employee Support

Sabia noted that once the cuts are authorized, decisions will be made swiftly to avoid prolonging uncertainty within the public service.

He assured staff that those affected by layoffs or early retirements will receive support, emphasizing the government’s commitment to manage the transition responsibly.

“We will act quickly to minimize uncertainty — and support those impacted as they navigate this change,” he added.

Fiscal Goals Behind the Cuts

The Carney government’s first federal budget centers on spending less and investing more, with a focus on innovation, housing, and infrastructure. However, this reallocation of resources comes with significant public sector downsizing — one of the largest since the early 1990s.

The $60 billion reduction in federal expenditure over five years is intended to help Canada stabilize its deficit while redirecting funds toward productivity and economic growth.

If passed, the plan will reshape the federal workforce and redefine the scope of government operations, marking a major shift in Ottawa’s fiscal and administrative priorities.

(Source: Internal memo obtained via CBC / Federal Budget 2025 highlights)

Ottawa: Canada has announced a fast-track immigration pathway for H-1B visa holders, forming part of a broader plan to attract skilled professionals and strengthen the country’s innovation and research ecosystem, according to the 2025 Federal Budget, as reported by CIC News.

The new initiative comes in response to the recent U.S. H-1B fee hike, which increased application costs to US $100,000, and seeks to draw displaced talent into Canada’s high-demand sectors such as healthcare, advanced technology, and research.

According to the government, the measure aims to “strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem, address labour shortages, and attract top global talent in key sectors.” It forms part of the International Talent Attraction Strategy and Action Plan introduced in the 2025 Budget.

Funding and Research Recruitment Plan

Under the plan, Canada will launch a one-time initiative to recruit over 1,000 international researchers, backed by an investment package worth up to CA $1.7 billion. The goal is to help Canadian universities hire global talent and enhance their research capacity.

The funding package includes:

• CA $1 billion over 13 years to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research for a new Accelerated Research Chairs Initiative.

• CA $400 million over seven years to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to upgrade research infrastructure.

• CA $133.6 million over three years to assist international PhD students and post-doctoral fellows relocating to Canada.

• Up to CA $120 million over 12 years to help universities hire international assistant professors.

Boosting Recognition of Foreign Credentials

To complement the strategy, Budget 2025 proposes creating a Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund, allocating CA $97 million over five years starting 2026–27. Managed by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the fund will work with provinces and territories to streamline the credential recognition process and help skilled newcomers integrate faster into the workforce.

Officials said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government’s ongoing effort to attract top global talent while addressing labour shortages in key sectors critical to Canada’s economic growth.

(Source: Economic Times)