Canada’s upcoming spending review won’t slash social programs, feds say

Gender-equality advocates want to make sure the upcoming federal spending review is done with women and marginalized people in mind.

The Liberal government is insisting that the goal of an upcoming federal spending review is not to slash social programs, while gender-equality advocates want to make sure it is done with women and marginalized people in mind.

The federal government’s latest budget released earlier this month announced the launch of a spending review of its programs and policies.

The review is meant to find savings of $6 billion over five years and $3 billion annually by 2026.

“The parameters of the review process will be developed over the coming months, however, the government has no intention of cutting existing social programs,” said Jessica Eritou, spokesperson for the office of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

It makes sense for the government to review spending in order to fine-tune programs and improve outcomes, said Katherine Scott, senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

While a review does not automatically mean a shift to austerity measures, Scott said that has been the result when some prior governments launched the same type of process.

To reduce the deficit, the Jean Chretien-led Liberal government held a spending review from 1994 to 1997 that resulted in scaled-back spending on social programs and transfers to the provinces and territories.

Those cuts disproportionately affected women, especially those already most vulnerable, according to an analysis by the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action.