OTTAWA (Reuters) - Here are some of the key government measures and proposals outlined in the 2023-24 budget presented by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday:
* boost the inclusion rate on capital gains realized annually above $250,000 by individuals and on all capital gains realized by corporations and trusts from one-half to two thirds
* deliver a C$15 billion top-up to the Apartment Construction Loan Program to build a minimum of 30,000 new apartments
* launch a new C$6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to accelerate the construction and upgrading of critical housing infrastructure
* launch a new C$1.5 billion Canada Rental Protection Fund to protect affordable housing and create thousands of new affordable apartments
* top-up the Housing Accelerator Fund with an additional C$400 million, so more municipalities can cut red tape, fast-track home construction, and invest in affordable housing.
* allow 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time home buyers purchasing newly built homes, effective August 1, 2024
* spend C$500 million to support rental housing with low-cost financing through the Apartment Construction Loan Program
* offer up to C$5 billion in loan guarantees to unlock access to capital for Indigenous communities, allowing them to invest in oil and gas projects
* a C$2.4 billion package of measures to boost artificial intelligence. This includes C$2 billion to build and provide access to computing capabilities and technological infrastructure for researchers, start-ups, and scale-ups
* a new National School Food Program, with an investment of C$1 billion over five years
* a new Child Care Expansion Loan Program, with C$1 billion in low-cost loans
*a new 10% Electric Vehicle Supply Chain investment tax credit on the cost of buildings used in electric vehicle assembly, electric vehicle battery production and cathode active material production.