Health Canada Cuts $14.6M From Cannabis Program Amid Federal Austerity
Health Canada is set to reduce spending on its cannabis program by CA$20.5 million ($14.6 million) over the next three years. This move is part of the federal government’s “Refocusing Government Spending” initiative aimed at saving CA$15.8 billion over five years.
Canada’s Cannabis Program Suffers Largest Spending Cuts
The planned cuts are the largest within Health Canada’s contributions to the budgetary goal. Reductions include CA$4.7 million in 2024-2025, CA$7.5 million in 2025-2026 and CA$8.3 million in 2026-2027 and ongoing. Other affected areas are pharmaceutical drugs programs and management and oversight services.
In budget 2023, the government announced measures to scale back spending to pre-pandemic levels, according to StratCann. Documents tabled in the House of Commons revealed cuts to various federal programs, including affordable housing and the Department of …