Chapter 5 - An Inclusive and Fair Canada

Introduction

Canada is at its best when all citizens have the opportunity to reach their full potential and are treated fairly, and the contributions from every segment of society are valued. As a nation, we are united by these beliefs, which have made Canada a model for the world.

Budget 2016 delivers on the Government's agenda to empower all Canadians to build better lives for themselves and to enable them to contribute to and share in the prosperity of the country. The investments proposed in Budget 2016 support strong social policies that create opportunity, build communities, support those who have worked hard for our country, promote health and well-being, ensure a fair and accessible justice system, celebrate our heritage and national institutions, and foster social cohesion.

The December 4, 2015 Speech from the Throne set out an agenda to empower all Canadians to build better lives for themselves and enable them to contribute to and share in the prosperity of the country. The measures in this budget deliver on this agenda, with investments targeted to some of the most vulnerable segments of society, including seniors and veterans.

The Government will meet its commitments to help all Canadians retire with security and dignity and to provide veterans with the support and care they deserve in return for the sacrifices that they have made for their country.

To eliminate systemic barriers and deliver equality of opportunity to all Canadians living with disabilities, the Government will consult with provinces, territories, municipalities and stakeholders to introduce a Canadians with Disabilities Act. This budget allocates $2 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to support the full participation of Canadians with disabilities in this process.

Canadians are fiercely proud of their country and its place in the world. The Government will make investments that celebrate our common heritage and national institutions.

Canadians want to feel safe in their homes, online and in their communities. This Government proposes measures that will help protect Canadians by ensuring public safety officers have the necessary equipment and facilities to investigate serious crime, and to enhance our understanding of radicalization at home. This budget also promotes Canadians' continued well-being by improving the safety of our cyber, rail, marine and motor safety systems and enhances the ability to respond to emergencies both on land and on our beautiful coasts.

This budget also delivers on the promises made to Canadians and establishes a foundation for a greater Canada, one that embraces diversity and inclusion as unique advantages that contribute to our common prosperity and solidify Canada's place in the world.

Improving the Quality of Life for Seniors

Canada's public pension programs—the Old Age Security program and the Canada Pension Plan—play an important role in the retirement income security of Canadians. The Government is committed to implementing changes to strengthen public pensions and improve the outcomes of Canadian seniors for today and tomorrow.

Increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement for Single Seniors

Canada's retirement income system has been successful in reducing the incidence of poverty among Canadian seniors. However, some seniors continue to be at heightened risk of living in low income. In particular, single seniors are nearly three times more likely to live in low income than seniors generally.

Budget 2016 proposes to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up benefit by up to $947 annually for the most vulnerable single seniors starting in July 2016, which will support those seniors who rely almost exclusively on Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits and may therefore be at risk of experiencing financial difficulties. This enhancement more than doubles the current maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up benefit and represents a 10-per-cent increase in the total maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits available to the lowest-income single seniors. This measure represents an investment of over $670 million per year and will improve the financial security of about 900,000 single seniors across Canada.

Single seniors with annual income (other than Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits) of about $4,600 or less will receive the full increase of $947. Above this income threshold, the amount of the increased benefit will be gradually reduced and will be completely phased out at an income level of about $8,400. Benefits will be adjusted quarterly with increases in the cost of living.

Enhancing the Canada Pension Plan

The Canada Pension Plan is a strong program that is able to pool risk among contributors and pay a predictable and lifetime benefit to Canadians when they retire. It provides a portable, low-cost and modest pension for all Canadian workers, except workers in Quebec, who contribute to the Quebec Pension Plan, which provides similar benefits.

Most Canadians approaching retirement age appear to be on track to adequately replace their working-age income in retirement. However, there are important concerns about the falling coverage of workplace pension plans in the private sector. Moreover, Canadians are living longer and healthier lives, which increases the risk that Canadians might outlive their savings. These concerns are particularly important for younger Canadians.

An enhanced Canada Pension Plan would represent a major step in improving retirement outcomes for workers and reducing the uncertainty that many Canadians feel about being able to enjoy a secure and dignified retirement.

In December 2015, this Government began discussions on enhancing the Canada Pension Plan with provinces and territories, with the goal of being able to make a collective decision before the end of 2016. In the coming months, the Government will launch consultations to give Canadians an opportunity to share their views on enhancing the Canada Pension Plan.

Restoring the Eligibility Ages of the Old Age Security Program

As an essential part of the Government's plan to strengthen public pensions and improve the lives of Canadian seniors, the eligibility ages of the Old Age Security program will be restored. Budget 2016 proposes to cancel the provisions in the Old Age Security Act that increase the age of eligibility for Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits from 65 to 67 and Allowance benefits from 60 to 62 over the 2023 to 2029 period.

Restoring the eligibility age for Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits to 65 will put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Canadians as they become seniors. These benefits are an important part of the retirement income of Canadians, particularly for lower-income seniors. Vulnerable seniors depend on this support, and without it, face a much higher risk of living in poverty.

Increased Support for Senior Couples Living Apart

Senior couples who must live apart for reasons beyond their control face higher costs of living and are at an increased risk of living in poverty. Budget 2016 proposes to introduce amendments to the Old Age Security Act that will ensure that couples who receive Guaranteed Income Supplement and Allowance benefits and have to live apart for reasons beyond their control (such as a requirement for long-term care) will receive higher benefits based on their individual incomes at a total cost of $2.6 million per year. Legislation is already in place to allow for senior couples who are both Guaranteed Income Supplement recipients to receive benefits based on their individual incomes if the couple is living apart for reasons beyond their control. By extending this treatment to couples receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement and Allowance benefits, the Government is improving fairness for seniors.

Ensuring Seniors Benefits Keep Pace With the Cost of Living

The Government is committed to ensuring that Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits keep pace with the actual costs of living faced by seniors. The Government is therefore looking at how a new Seniors Price Index that reflects the cost of living faced by seniors could be developed.

Supporting Canada's Veterans

Veterans and their families have earned Canadians' respect and gratitude. The Government will give back to those who have given so much in service to all Canadians. Budget 2016 proposes to restore critical access to services for veterans as well as ensure the long-term financial security of disabled veterans. Budget 2016 also proposes measures to honour the service, sacrifice and accomplishments of those who served in the military.

Enhancing Services for Veterans

Canada's veterans and their families deserve our care, compassion and respect. To better support veterans where they live, Budget 2016 proposes to reopen and staff service offices in Charlottetown, Sydney, Corner Brook, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Saskatoon, Brandon, Prince George and Kelowna, open an additional office in Surrey, and expand outreach to veterans in the North by working with local partners. This will make it easier for veterans to access services across the country.

Budget 2016 also proposes to hire additional case managers to reduce the client-to-case manager ratio to no more than 25:1. Case managers represent the first line of intervention to help veterans in their rehabilitation process and to coordinate referrals to health care providers. Reducing the client-to-case manager ratio will help veterans make successful transitions to civilian life.

To implement these measures, Budget 2016 proposes to provide $78.1 million over five years, starting in 2016–17.

Financial Support for Veterans

Since the creation of the New Veterans Charter in 2006, the range of programs, services and benefits under the Charter have been gradually updated over time. However, veterans groups as well as the Veterans Ombudsman have noted that the Charter needs to be enhanced to meet the needs of modern-day veterans. Budget 2016 therefore proposes significant enhancements to financial benefits for modern-day veterans. The proposed investment includes:

• Increasing the Disability Award (maximum increased to $360,000 in 2017) for injuries or illnesses caused or worsened by military service, and aligning it with other New Veterans Charter benefits by indexing it to inflation. Higher Awards would be paid retroactively to all veterans who have received an Award since the introduction of the New Veterans Charter in 2006.
• Expanding access to higher grades of the Permanent Impairment Allowance to better support veterans who have had their career options limited by a service-related illness or injury. The potential impact of the permanent and severe impairments on veterans' career advancement opportunities would be considered in determining the appropriate level of financial support. The benefit would also be renamed Career Impact Allowance to better reflect the intent of the program.
• Increasing the Earnings Loss Benefit to provide income replacement of 90 per cent of gross pre-release military salary for injured veterans participating in Veterans Affairs Canada's rehabilitation or vocational assistance program or with injuries preventing them from suitable and gainful employment. The indexation of this benefit would also no longer be capped at 2 per cent and would be allowed to keep pace with inflation. Finally, the calculation of the minimum benefit would be amended to be based on a senior private's salary instead of a basic corporal's salary.

These measures represent a significant investment that would greatly improve income support to disabled veterans, including both veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce as well as those with injuries preventing them from suitable and gainful employment. In particular, these measures would ensure that disabled veterans who are unable to return to the workforce because of their injuries receive higher lifelong financial support.

In consultation with the veterans' community, the Government also understands there is a significant desire to better design veterans' financial support programs going forward—and that the Government should take the appropriate time to work with veterans to ensure programs meet the needs of those injured in the line of duty.

Over the next year, the Government will work with the veterans' community to examine the best way to streamline and simplify the system of financial support programs currently offered by Veterans Affairs Canada and National Defence for veterans and their families. The overall objective of this work will be to ensure that the Government delivers programs and services in a way that is veterans-centric and facilitates a seamless and successful transition from military to civilian life.

Based on current projections of demand for the programs, the Government expects that $1.6 billion over five years, starting in 2016–17, would flow to veterans and their families in the form of higher direct payments. However, public sector accounting standards require that the present value of all increased future payments to eligible recipients be recognized up front when changes are made to veterans benefit plans. The budgetary expense associated with the increase in benefits for eligible recipients amounts to $5.6 billion over six years, starting in 2015–16.

Last Post Fund

The Government of Canada has a duty to remember the service and sacrifice of those who served in the military.

The Last Post Fund program provides financial assistance to the estates of eligible deceased veterans towards the cost of burial and for funeral services. To expand eligibility for the program to more families of low-income veterans, Budget 2016 proposes to increase the estate exemption for the Last Post Fund from roughly $12,000 to roughly $35,000, and apply an annual cost of living adjustment to the estate exemption going forward.

Based on current projections of demand for the program, the Government expects that $3.4 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, would flow to the families of veterans in the form of higher direct payments. However, public sector accounting standards require that the present value of all increased future payments to eligible recipients be recognized up front when changes are made to veterans benefit plans. The budgetary expense associated with the increase in benefits for eligible recipients amounts to $25.9 million over six years, starting in 2015–16.

Commemoration

Budget 2016 proposes to merge the Community War Memorial Program with the Commemorative Partnership Program, and to expand the scope of the Commemorative Partnership Program to allow funding for the building of new community war memorials. This will streamline the application process for Canadians and community groups to gain access to funding opportunities available for commemorative activities for veterans.

Invictus Games

On March 16, His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales announced that Toronto will host the 2017 Invictus Games for ill and injured veterans. The Invictus Games is an international sporting event that promotes the well-being and rehabilitation of our veteran population, and the Government is proud to show its support for the organization of the Games in Canada. Budget 2016 proposes to reallocate funding of $4 million over two years, starting in 2015–16, and to provide new funding of $6 million in 2016–17 to support the organization of the Games.

Strengthening Canada's Health Care System

Canada's publicly funded health care system is a source of pride and a defining value for Canadians, who rely on it for timely access to universal, high-quality services based on need, not ability to pay. However, while Canada's health care system has served Canadians well, it must be strengthened to better meet the needs of patients as changes in demographics, disease patterns and technology continue to shift the delivery of care into homes and communities.

The Government is committed to working in partnership with provinces and territories to negotiate a new multi-year health accord that will improve health care in Canada and boost health outcomes for all Canadians. The Minister of Health has begun discussions with her provincial and territorial counterparts to enhance the affordability and accessibility of prescription drugs, improve access to home care and mental health services, and support pan‑Canadian innovation in the delivery of health services.

As these discussions are ongoing, this budget provides immediate investments to support pan-Canadian progress on accord priorities in the form of support for innovations within the health care system. In addition, Budget 2016 announces initiatives that will help Canadians maintain and improve their health, including through expanding access to nutritious food in the North, enhancing food safety, providing funding for specific men's and women's health initiatives, improving vaccine uptake and coverage, and investing in concussion protocols.

Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement

The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada that is dedicated to accelerating health care improvements and efficiencies. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $39 million over three years, starting in 2016–17, to the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement to support its ongoing efforts to identify and introduce innovations in the health care system.

Canada Health Infoway

Canada Health Infoway is a not-for-profit corporation created in 2001 that provides leadership and facilitates collaboration with the provinces and territories on accelerating the development and adoption of electronic health systems. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $50 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to Canada Health Infoway to support short-term digital health activities in e-prescribing and telehomecare.

Expanding Nutrition North Canada

A nutritious diet is essential to good physical and mental health. Nutrition North Canada helps alleviate the high cost of food in many northern isolated communities by providing a subsidy on perishable nutritious food. Culturally appropriate nutrition education initiatives are also provided to promote the consumption of a healthy diet. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $64.5 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, and $13.8 million per year ongoing to expand Nutrition North Canada to support all northern isolated communities.

Enhancing Food Safety in Canada

Canada's food supply is among the safest in the world. At the federal level, the collaborative efforts of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada safeguard food and enhance the health and well-being of consumers in Canada.

Canada's world-class food safety system also contributes to export opportunities for Canadian agriculture and agri-food producers and manufacturers. Internationally consistent food safety requirements help secure and maintain access for Canadian products to foreign markets. Canada's reputation for high quality and safe food also supports foreign consumer confidence and demand for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products.

Budget 2016 proposes to provide $38.5 million over two years, on a cash basis, starting in 2016–17 to further strengthen and modernize Canada's food safety system. With this funding, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will invest in systems that will help target inspection activities to the highest-risk domestic and imported foods. The Agency will also enhance inspection activities abroad to assist in responding to food safety risks before they reach domestic consumers.

To help families make better food choices, the Government will also be taking steps over the next year to improve food labels to give more information on added sugars and artificial dyes in processed foods.

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Budget 2016 confirms ongoing funding for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer at $47.5 million per year. This will allow the organization to continue its work with cancer agencies and stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, while engaging patients, care providers and the general public in promoting innovative approaches to reducing the toll of cancer across Canada. Federal support for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer will complement the initiatives in a new Health Accord currently under discussion with provinces and territories.

Improving Heart Health for Women

Heart disease and stroke are a leading cause of death among Canadian women. In fact, most Canadian women have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke—yet many women are not aware of this threat and do not know how to recognize the symptoms until it is too late. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $5 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to support targeted research on women's heart health and to promote collaboration between research institutions across the country. This funding will help lay the ground work for ensuring women have access to high quality care that is attentive to the inherent differences in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women and men.

Tackling Men's Health

Men face unique health challenges. Canadian men are 79 per cent more likely than women to die from heart disease, 57 per cent more likely to die from diabetes, and account for 82 per cent of alcohol related death, yet 70 per cent of men's health conditions and diseases are preventable. In order to help raise awareness of men's health issues, Budget 2016 proposes to provide $4 million over the next four years, starting in 2016–17, to the Canadian Men's Health Foundation to provide men with information about how they can make lifestyle and behavioural changes to improve their health.

Improving Immunization Coverage Rates

Vaccine preventable diseases are still present in some areas of Canada and can lead to serious disability and even death. To help ensure the ongoing health and safety of Canadians, particularly children and those who are immunocompromised, such as the elderly, high levels of immunization coverage among Canadians is required. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $25 million over five years, starting in 2016–17. With this funding, the Public Health Agency of Canada will update the national immunization coverage goals and disease reduction targets, improve Canada's ability to identify under- and un-immunized Canadians, and develop a focused program to improve vaccine access and uptake.

Harmonization of Concussion Management Guidelines

Many individuals, particularly children and youth, experience concussions during sport and recreation activities, sometimes with needless and tragic outcomes. More work is needed to harmonize concussion management guidelines across Canada. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $1.4 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to allow the Public Health Agency of Canada to work with provinces and territories on this important issue with a focus on athlete and student return-to-play and return-to-learn protocols.

Improving Canada's Justice System

The right to a fair trial for all Canadians is a fundamental underpinning of Canadian democracy. The Government has committed to a respectful relationship with Canadian courts, which uphold the rule of law and provide forums to resolve disputes and test laws in a fair and rational manner. Measures included in Budget 2016 will help Canadians assert their rights and provide disadvantaged Canadians access to a justice system that is fair, modern and efficient.

Taking Action Against Guns and Gangs

The Government remains committed to removing handguns and assault weapons from our streets. Over the next year, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness will be working with his provincial, territorial and municipal counterparts to develop a strategy on how the federal government can best support communities and law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to make it harder for criminals to get and use these weapons and to reduce guns and gang violence in our communities.

In addition, as the Government consults Canadians on the framework for the legalization of marijuana, it will work to ensure that any new regime must protect young Canadians by keeping marijuana out of the hands of children and youth.

Reinstating the Court Challenges Program of Canada

The Government is committed to safeguarding Canada's official languages and equality rights, including protecting the rights of women and minorities. The Court Challenges Program provides financial assistance for individuals and groups who wish to clarify their language and equality rights in Canada's courts. This program has been instrumental in bringing cases to the courts that clarify and assert Charter rights. Budget 2016 proposes to provide new funding of $12 million over five years to support the Court Challenges Program of Canada. When combined with existing federal investments, total funding will be $5 million annually.

Ensuring Access to Justice

Access to criminal legal aid promotes justice for economically disadvantaged persons and helps ensure the Canadian justice system remains fair and efficient. Federal, provincial and territorial governments each contribute to the delivery of legal aid. Budget 2016 provides $88 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, to increase funding in support of the provision of criminal legal aid in Canada.

A More Efficient Federal Court System

Canadians expect a justice system that is accessible and efficient. The Courts Administration Service is an arm's-length federal organization that provides support to the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada. Federal Courts judges prepare files, conduct hearings and write decisions at locations across Canada. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $7.9 million over five years to the Courts Administration Service to invest in information technology infrastructure upgrades to safeguard the efficiency of the federal court system. Budget 2016 also proposes to provide up to $2.6 million over two years on a cash basis to help relocate the Quebec City Federal Courts facility, thereby ensuring continued Federal Courts presence in Quebec City.

Investing in Arts and Culture

Canada's heritage, shaped by our diversity, deserves to be celebrated and shared.

Our cultural industries represent a key sector of our economy and the intersection of art, science and technology offers infinite opportunities to innovate and problem solve. Investing in the Canadian cultural sector helps to create jobs, strengthens the economy and ensures that the unique Canadian perspective is shared with the world. Measures included in Budget 2016 will support important national institutions, safeguard our two official languages, and promote industries that highlight Canada's culture by investing $1.9 billion over five years. These investments include funding of $168.2 million over two years for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, being proposed as part of the Government's commitment to social infrastructure.

Finally, as we move closer to the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government will work with its partners to ensure that all Canadians will have the opportunity to participate in local, regional, national and international celebrations.

Investing in Arts and Cultural Organizations

Investing in Canadian cultural and creative industries allows Canadian artists to share their stories at home and abroad. Budget 2016 provides $1.3 billion over five years, starting in 2016–17, to support longstanding arts and cultural organizations, as follows:

• The Minister of Canadian Heritage will work with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Radio-Canada to develop a five-year accountability plan. Budget 2016 proposes to invest $675 million in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Radio-Canada to disseminate and support world-class Canadian content and to provide Canadians with better access to programs and services in the digital era;
• To foster the development of the arts in Canada through grants, services and awards to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations, as well as through scholarly awards, Budget 2016 proposes to invest $550 million in the Canada Council for the Arts;
• To provide funding and promotion programs dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry, Budget 2016 proposes to provide Telefilm Canada with $22 million; and
• To create social-issue documentaries, animation, and digital content, Budget 2016 proposes to provide the National Film Board of Canada with $13.5 million.

Showcasing Canada's Cultural Industries to the World

Canada's cultural and creative industries are a vibrant part of our economy and national identity. Our artists, producers, composers and technicians are world leaders in their fields. Budget 2016 proposes to invest $35 million over two years, beginning in 2016–17 to support the promotion of Canadian artists and cultural industries abroad. This funding will immediately help Canadian foreign missions promote Canadian culture and creativity on the world stage, in particular as Canada approaches the 150th Anniversary of Confederation. Over the next year, the Minister of Canadian Heritage will be consulting on how best to continue to support Canadian cultural exporters as they contribute to inclusive growth.

Supporting National Museums

Canada's national museums are important cultural institutions that play a vital role in preserving Canada's heritage, educating Canadians and inspiring innovation. For several years, Canada's national museums have faced financial pressures that have impacted their ability to implement dynamic and important programs and exhibitions. Budget 2016 proposes to provide up to $105.9 million over five years, with $6.1 million per year ongoing, to help Canada's national museums address immediate operational and capital pressures. The allocation of this funding by institution will be announced at a future date.

Enhancing Public Safety

Threats to Canada and emergencies can arise in many different ways: through terrorism, organized crime, natural disasters or severe weather, to name just a few. The Government remains committed to ongoing work with provinces and territories on a number of important initiatives including supporting them in their efforts to take illegal guns off our streets and reduce gang-related violence; ensuring public safety officers have the support and treatment they need when facing post-traumatic stress disorder; and recognizing community heroes and supporting their families when tragedy strikes.

The Government remains committed to repealing the problematic elements of Bill C-51. Following consultation, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness will introduce new legislation that strengthens accountability with respect to national security and better balances collective security with rights and freedoms.

We need to have the right tools to take action when needed to keep Canadians safe. Budget 2016 includes several immediate measures that will support the safety and security of Canadians within our borders.

Office of the Community Outreach and Counter-Radicalization Coordinator

Success in countering radicalization to violence requires the support and participation of all levels of government and civil society. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $35 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, with $10 million per year ongoing, to establish an Office of the Community Outreach and Counter-radicalization Coordinator. The Office will provide leadership on Canada's response to radicalization to violence, coordinate federal/provincial/territorial and international initiatives, and support community outreach and research.

Strengthening Heavy Urban Search and Rescue

Swift and effective response to emergencies is critical for keeping Canadians and communities safe, and heavy urban search and rescue is primarily used in cases of large-scale incidents. Budget 2016 provides $15.5 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, to restore funding to heavy urban search and rescue task forces in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Manitoba, as well as to work with provinces to expand this capacity in underserved regions.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Vancouver Laboratory Relocation

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) forensic laboratory services play an important role in supporting law enforcement investigations through forensic identification and analysis of evidence. Budget 2016 proposes to provide up to $60.4 million over five years on a cash basis for a new RCMP forensic laboratory to be co-located with the RCMP's regional headquarters in Surrey, British Columbia. The new, more efficient laboratory will support the investigation of the most serious and violent crimes, helping to quickly identify and apprehend offenders, and contribute to enhancing the safety of Canadians.

Reopening the Kitsilano Canadian Coast Guard Facility

The Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for ensuring public safety on the water and protecting the marine environment along Canada's coasts, including in the Greater Vancouver area. Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's busiest port, with $187 billion of annual commercial shipping activity, in addition to being one of the busiest recreational boating areas in Canada.

Budget 2016 proposes to provide $23.6 million over five years on a cash basis, starting in 2016–17, to reopen the Kitsilano Search and Rescue Lifeboat Station in Vancouver as a Coast Guard Base with enhanced marine emergency response capacity. This will restore search and rescue services in the area. In addition, activities at Kitsilano will be expanded to include environmental response capacity, as well as emergency response training for regional stakeholders and response partners, including Indigenous groups. The facility will also serve as a Regional Incident Command Post in the event of a significant marine incident, as recommended in an independent review of the response to the fuel oil spill from the M/V Marathassa in April 2015.

The reopening of the Kitsilano Base is an important investment in a stronger Coast Guard and a critical step towards improving marine safety off Canada's east and west coasts. Options will be developed over the coming year to enhance search and rescue capacity in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Strengthening the Security of Government of Canada Networks and Cyber Systems

The Government of Canada has an obligation to protect the personal and corporate information that Canadians provide to the government to deliver public services. Budget 2016 proposes to provide $77.4 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, to implement new measures to improve the security of government networks and information technology systems. These measures will ensure that the government can better defend its networks and systems from cyber threats, malicious software and unauthorized access.

Enhancing the Safety of Railways and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Many cities and towns across Canada were established because of the railroad, and our communities have grown around railway infrastructure over time. Railways remain critical to the Canadian economy, carrying more than one third of Canada's trade to and from border crossings and marine ports. The tragic incident at Lac-Mégantic, on July 6, 2013, highlighted the importance of rail safety and the regulation of the transportation of dangerous goods. Following recommendations from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, a number of actions have been undertaken, including the implementation of amendments to the Railway Safety Act along with new regulations and standards, and increased frequency of inspections of high-risk dangerous goods operations. Rail traffic volumes are expected to continue to increase, and there are further Transportation Safety Board recommendations to be implemented. Canadians expect industry and government to take action to mitigate the risks associated with the movement of goods by rail through their neighbourhoods.

Budget 2016 proposes to provide $143 million over three years on a cash basis to sustain existing measures and support new and expanded activities to strengthen oversight and enforcement, and to enhance prevention and response capabilities related to rail safety and the transportation of dangerous goods. New measures will include: increased inspection capacity and improved training for stronger and more consistent oversight across the country; enhanced systems for testing, classifying, registering and mapping dangerous goods and their movements, to support better risk management; increased federal contributions for local investments in safer railway crossings to help prevent accidents; and additional support for first responders to provide better tools and the information required to better protect communities.

Improving Motor Vehicle Safety

Transport Canada works with industry and government partners to make Canada's roads the safest in the world. This includes setting safety standards for the design, construction, and importation of motor vehicles.

Budget 2016 proposes to provide $7.3 million over two years to increase inspection capacity and support the development of a regulatory framework for emerging technologies such as automated vehicles.