The Federal government released its 2019-20 budget yesterday, which included a $19.8 billion deficit. This was the Liberal government's final budget before the October federal election.

Highlights include $22.8 billion in new spending over the next five years, $1.25 billion over the next 3 years on a shared-equity mortgage program for first-time home buyers, $1.2 billion spent over 5 years for asylum seeker processing as well as added border security and lowering the interest rate on student loans.

The tax-free Canada Child Benefit will also continue to provide, on average, $6,800 to assist families with raising kids.

The federal Liberal government also pledged high-speed internet to all Canadians by 2030.

However, Federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the budget would be balanced this year. "Instead, he’s throwing around billions of dollars to distract from his corruption scandal cover-up. If he wins in October, Canadians will pay for it with higher taxes."

Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen says Trudeau is hoping $41 billion in new spending will help taxpayers forget about the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal. "Conservatives are not going to let that happen."

Missing from the budget highlights was good news for small business owners. "We're definitely seeing in this budget... there's been no tax cuts for them. In fact, who's going to be paying for all of his massive spending? It's going to be the small businesses."

She notes the Federal Conservatives have promised to scrap the Carbon tax, as well as take off the GST on home heating and energy bills.

"It's not a luxury to heat your home in Canada, it's a necessity."