To chop spending, Ottawa will cut science, tourism, foreign aid programs
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2026 8:37 pm
The federal government has tabled details of how it plans to cut billions of dollars from programs that support science, tourism, harbour improvements, journalism, foreign aid, and even the development of a Canadian-made lunar rover module.
1. Science & Research
- Major reductions across federal science programs
- Cuts affect innovation, research grants, and long‑term scientific capacity
2. Tourism
- Funding reductions for tourism development and promotion
- Could impact regional tourism boards and national marketing
3. Foreign Aid
- Cuts to international development programs
- Part of a broader shift toward domestic fiscal tightening
4. Journalism Support
- Federal programs that previously supported media organizations are being scaled back
- Comes at a time when many outlets are already struggling
5. Harbour Improvements
- Infrastructure and harbour‑related federal funding reduced
- Impacts coastal communities (including BC)
6. Space & Lunar Rover Program
- Funding pulled from the Canadian‑made lunar rover module
- Notable because Carney is investing in a new $200M Canadian launch pad — but cutting other space programs to offset it
1. Science & Research
- Major reductions across federal science programs
- Cuts affect innovation, research grants, and long‑term scientific capacity
2. Tourism
- Funding reductions for tourism development and promotion
- Could impact regional tourism boards and national marketing
3. Foreign Aid
- Cuts to international development programs
- Part of a broader shift toward domestic fiscal tightening
4. Journalism Support
- Federal programs that previously supported media organizations are being scaled back
- Comes at a time when many outlets are already struggling
5. Harbour Improvements
- Infrastructure and harbour‑related federal funding reduced
- Impacts coastal communities (including BC)
6. Space & Lunar Rover Program
- Funding pulled from the Canadian‑made lunar rover module
- Notable because Carney is investing in a new $200M Canadian launch pad — but cutting other space programs to offset it