New documents reveal federal programs covering vaccines, cannabis, affordable housing, as well as general operations at the Department of National Defence have seen funding cuts as departments scramble to meet the federal Liberals' plan to refocus government spending.
Federal departments and agencies had been asked to find $ 15.8 billion in savings over five years under the government's ongoing "Refocusing Government Spending" initiative. The cuts were announced in the 2023 budget and the fall economic statement. Departments had until this month to meet their latest spending targets.
The documents also show that a number of programs run by Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will see reduced spending. Notably Health Canada's cannabis program will see the biggest spending reductions—about $ 20.5 million over the next three years.
Read more at The Hill Times