Infrastructure, Housing Spotlighted in Canada's Budget

"The [Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper is] doling out nearly $20-billion – or half the stimulus package – to spur immediate spending on infrastructure projects and home construction.

Nearly $12-billion federal dollars will be made available for "shovel-ready" public works projects across Canada that can be commenced quickly, but there's a catch. Provinces and municipalities will have to contribute nearly $9-billion more in order to get the roads, bridges and sewer upgrade work started.

[The budget also] includes $3-billion [in] tax breaks for the temporary home renovation credit as well as $1-billion in outlays to fund renovations and retrofits of social housing. Ottawa will also spend $400-million on new home construction for low-income seniors, $400-million on first nations reserve housing and $200-million for building northern residences.

[The government] won't advance all the construction money unless provinces contribute nearly $1.5-billion to the housing effort."