OTTAWA - Economist Don Drummond calls it a budget plan with a little bit for everyone. He wasn't kidding. From gun owners to volunteer firefighters to seniors, this budget seems to offer a surprising number of new measures. CTV.ca has compiled some of the interesting initiatives and proposals from Budget 2011 that might not have made the headlines, but are worth a look.

Volunteer firefighters

The Harper government says it's time to recognize the important role volunteer firefighters play in our communities, and has proposed a Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit. Volunteer firefighters who've logged at least 200 hours of firefighting services in a taxation year would be able to claim a 15-per-cent non-refundable tax credit -- based on an amount of $3,000.

Economic adviser to TD Bank Don Drummond said what's interesting about this proposal is that it's been in the works for such a long time.

"We've had these finance committee consultations going on since the 1990s. It's been studied in the department at least for 15 years that I can recall. I just find it interesting that it finally came out after a very long gestation period."

Why did it finally make it in the budget? Aside from being attractive to a Conservative party with rural roots, Flaherty made it clear in his prepared speech:

"As we were reminded just days ago by the tragic fire in Listowel, Ont., (firefighters) are also willing to sacrifice their lives to protect others," Flaherty said. "We will recognize the importance of this noble, necessary work, and help sustain volunteer fire departments, by establishing a new Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit."

Helmets to hardhats

It's short on details, but the budget plan says the government is initiating a program aimed at helping Canada's veterans -- from helping them transition from military to civilian life, to helping those who've suffered a service-related disability.

"Our support for the Helmets to Hardhats program will help former Canadian military personnel to find work in the construction industry," Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said. "Our brave Canadian Veterans have earned our deepest gratitude and highest respect. This is just one more practical way to provide the support they deserve."

Eliminating the mandatory retirement age

The government notices we're living longer and staying more active than ever before, so they want to make changes to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canada Labour Code -- to prohibit federally-regulated employers from setting a mandatory retirement age. That is, "unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement."

"This would allow Canadians to choose how long they wish to remain active in the labour force," says the budget document. Then, in a vague statement, the government "will review other acts to further this objective."

Engaging India

Canada's government wants to cozy up to one of the world's fastest growing economies. So they've developed a "focused strategy" to boost our bilateral relationship with India. That strategy includes:

  • promoting Canadian innovation in India,
  • linking Canadian and Indian universities as well as promoting our post-secondary institutions in India;
  • Establishing a Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence at a cost of $12 million over five years.

Gun owners

The government will provide funding of $20.9 million so firearms owners won't have to pay renewal fees for all classes of firearms between May 2011 and May 2012.

Credit 'cheques'

The government's worried about your personal debt. So under the heading "Protecting Consumers," the budget plan outlined a proposal to put a stop to those unsolicited credit card cheques you get in the mail. This is in addition to previous measures related to credit cards, prohibiting negative-option billing and reducing cheque-hold periods.

Cowboys and quarterbacks

The budget earmarks $5 million each toward the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Grey Cup and the Calgary Stampede.

Atomic energy

The government says it wants to create new opportunities for Canada's nuclear industry by giving a boost to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). Budget 2011 is giving $405 million to AECL to cover anticipated commercial losses and support the Crown corporation's operations, including to ensure a secure supply of medical isotopes and maintain safe and reliable operations at the Chalk River Laboratories.

Speaking of medical isotopes, the budget provides $4 million over three years to Industry Canada's Federal Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario, to support the construction of a cyclotron for the production of medical isotopes.

You're that much closer to Carnegie Hall, kid…

You've likely heard about the widely reported tax credit aimed at parents with kids taking music and various arts lessons. But did you see this? It really seems like the Conservative government is trying to say, ‘See, we're arts-friendly, too.' They're offering a one-time investment of $7.5 million for a partnership between Canada's non-profit Royal Conservatory of Music and New York's esteemed Carnegie Hall.