The Canadian Press: The PBO report estimates the one-time payment will cost more than $3.1 billion this year, while the annual increases will cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion annually through to 2031 — roughly $9.2 billion.
The estimate of the cost of the annual increases is slightly higher than the government’s $8.6 billion projection. The $3.1 billion one-time payment estimate aligns with the government’s estimate.
In a statement, the government defended its projections…