Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent budget reflects a continuation of social justice programs and diversity mandates, despite a shift from the identity politics prevalent during the Trudeau administration. The budget outlines a projected deficit of $78.3 billion and includes several one-time investments aimed at various initiatives.

Among the allocations, the federal anti-racism secretariat is set to receive $2 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with no further funding planned thereafter. The Canadian Heritage program for diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports will receive $8 million for the same period, also with no future funding indicated. Additionally, the government plans to invest $28 million over the next two years into the Digital Citizen Initiative, which has faced criticism for funding influencers to counter perceived disinformation and monitor media that is deemed anti-Liberal.

The budget suggests that funding for these initiatives may cease in 2027, but the future of these programs remains uncertain. The National Film Board will receive a $4 million increase next year, while federal museums will benefit from a $12 million allocation, both of which are part of the ongoing diversity mandates established during the Liberal era.

Funding for identity-based business initiatives is also returning. The federal women’s entrepreneurship program is expected to receive $39 million next year, although no further funding is planned. In September, the government announced an additional $189 million over five years for race-based business funding aimed at Black entrepreneurs, although this was not detailed in the budget documents.

The budget includes a $75 million allocation over three years for apprenticeship training within unions, with a focus on prioritizing projects that include equity groups. This approach is part of a broader strategy to address the underrepresentation of certain demographics in the trades. Similarly, the youth wage subsidy program is projected to cost $1.5 billion from 2026 to 2029, with a focus on hiring youth facing barriers, including those from non-white, LGBTQ+, and disabled backgrounds.

In terms of innovation, the budget allocates $183 million over four years for the National Research Council’s intellectual property program, which aims to support underrepresented groups in accessing IP services. This includes funding for women-led companies, defined broadly to encompass various gender identities.

The budget also proposes changes to Farm Credit Canada to better align its activities with the needs of traditionally underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous entrepreneurs. In the food sector, the government is increasing funding for halal and kosher meat production, with allocations rising from $2 million in 2024-25 to $16 million in subsequent years.

The National School Food Program, which will cost $1 billion over five years, is set to offer culturally appropriate food options. This aligns with a growing trend among retailers and restaurants to cater to halal preferences, driven in part by government demand.

Lastly, Women and Gender Equality Canada is slated to receive $500 million from 2026 to 2030. Critics argue that the department's focus on social justice initiatives is unnecessary in a time when gender equality has largely been achieved.

Overall, while the budget may appear less overtly focused on identity politics than previous years, the underlying commitment to social justice and diversity initiatives remains strong under Carney's leadership.