Trudeau’s Pre-Election Bet Hinges on Fast Growth, Low Inflation

Justin Trudeau’s government released a budget that promises big spending on new social programs and a return to small deficits by 2025, setting the stage for a possible election in Canada this year.

After running one of the largest shortfalls of any developed country last year, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland outlined plans Monday for a national childcare program, the centerpiece of C$101 billion ($80.6 billion) in new policy actions over the next three years. The budget also includes extensions of pandemic-relief programs as well as more cash for pensioners, low-income workers, subsidies for businesses, help for students, and billions ...