Federal budget 2015: Canada to spend $210M on 150th birthday party

The federal government is planning to spend $210 million to throw Canada's150thbirthday celebrations in Ottawa and communities across the country.

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The 2017 celebrations of the anniversary of Confederation represents "a historic opportunity for Canadians to connect with our past, celebrate our achievements and create a lasting legacy for our future," the government outlines in the 2015 federal budget.

Money will be used to support community events such as concerts, festivals and enhanced Canada Day celebrations in the National Capital Region and other major Canadian cities, as well as other national initiatives.

The government is earmarking $24 million in 2015-16, $85 million the following year and $99 million in 2017-18, the year of the actual celebrations.

The Canada Day celebrations represent the bulk of the government's heritage spending in the federal budget.

The budget also proposes $13.4 million over the next five years to revamp the Canada's Honours System to increase the number of nominations to the Order of Canada "from under-represented sectors" and change eligibility and selection criteria for other honours and awards.