The Canadian government has unveiled a budget that reflects a continuation of social justice initiatives under Prime Minister Mark Carney, despite a projected deficit of $78.3 billion. Unlike previous budgets during the Trudeau administration, this budget does not heavily emphasize identity politics but maintains a focus on diversity and inclusion programs.

Among the notable allocations, the federal anti-racism secretariat will receive $2 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year, following its establishment in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The Canadian Heritage program for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in sports is set to receive $8 million for the same period, with no further funding planned thereafter. Additionally, the government plans to invest $28 million over the next two years into the Digital Citizen Initiative, which has been criticized for funding government-aligned influencers to counter perceived disinformation.

The budget also includes a $4 million increase for the National Film Board, which restricts non-Indigenous individuals from using its archive footage for commercial purposes. Federal museums will receive $12 million, and identity-based business funding is being revived. The federal women’s entrepreneurship program is expected to receive $39 million next year, while Black entrepreneurs were informed in September about an additional $189 million over five years for race-based business funding, although this was not detailed in the budget documents.

The longevity of these programs remains uncertain, as the government could alter its funding priorities in future budgets. A significant concern is the potential for discrimination embedded within some initiatives. For instance, the government has allocated $75 million over three years for apprenticeship training within unions, with a diversity impact analysis indicating that priority will be given to projects that include equity groups. This approach has raised questions about the fairness of funding distribution, particularly as previous programs favored diverse apprenticeships at rates higher than those for white males.

Furthermore, the youth wage subsidy program is projected to cost $1.5 billion from 2026 to 2029. This program includes the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, which prioritizes employers who recruit youth facing barriers, such as those from non-white, LGBTQ+, or disabled backgrounds. The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program also emphasizes support for organizations serving equity-deserving communities.

In addition to cultural initiatives, the budget introduces $183 million over four years for the National Research Council’s intellectual property program and the Elevate IP program. This funding is contingent upon advancing the government’s diversity agenda, with a focus on providing access to intellectual property services for underrepresented groups. Overall, the budget reflects a commitment to social justice and diversity, albeit with questions surrounding the sustainability and fairness of its initiatives.