Liberals’ Wage Subsidy Extension to Push Program Costs to $107 Billion, PBO Says

Commons 20211202 Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland makes her way to the West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Dec. 2, 2021. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA—The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government’s plan to extend its wage subsidy will push the overall price for the program to almost $106.7 billion.

The budget officer’s report released this morning estimates that the majority, about $4.8 billion, in subsidies will flow to businesses that continue to see a steep, and persistent drop in revenues.