Highlights From Federal Budget 2015

A balanced budget
The budget is balanced, with a projected surplus of $1.4 billion this year, increasing to $4.8 billion in 2019-20.

...But a smaller cushion going forward
The federal contingency fund drops to $1 billion in 2015-16, returning to $3 billion by 2019.

Tax-Free Savings Accounts
As expected, the budget increases the annual contribution limit on TFSAs to $10,000 from $5,500.

For households...
The budget extends compassionate-care benefits under the employment insurance system from six weeks to six months for Canadians caring for gravely ill family members.

For seniors...
The budget changes the rules governing registered retirement income funds, or RRIFs, to allow seniors to preserve their retirement nest eggs for longer.

For small business...
The small business tax rate drops from 11 per cent to 9 per cent by 2019.

For the auto industry...
The budget provides up to $100 million over five years to foster innovation among Canadian automotive parts suppliers.

Cash from GM stock sale
The sale of the government's General Motors shares, purchased in 2009 as part of an effort to help the auto industry weather the storm in the wake of the 2008 recession, generated a net gain of $2.1 billion.

The Military
The 2015 budget provides an additional $11.8 billion for the Canadian military over 10 years, starting in 2017.

It also provides up to $360.3 million for the extended and expanded mission against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and $7.1 million for the recently announced military training mission in Ukraine.

Plus, $23 million over four years to upgrade security at Canada's military bases.

National security
The budget provides $292.6 million over five years for the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to fight terrorism and enforce the government's new anti-terror law.

It also provides $12.5 million over five years, followed by an additional $2.5 million a year, for the Security Intelligence Review Committee, which oversees CSIS.

Parliament Hill security
The budget provides $60.4 million over three years to buttress Parliament Hill security, $27 million over give years for tighter security at federal court and registry offices, and $10 million over five years for Ottawa police.

Cybersecurity
The budget provides $58 million over five years to better protect computer networks and critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, and $36.4 million over five years to address cybersecurity threats.