The Trudeau Liberals will spend nearly $15-billion over the next five years, on top, of what they’d outlined in the spring budget.

In releasing his fall economic statement, Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the government’s deciding to take advantage of this year’s unexpectedly robust economic performance, which is projected to provide an extra $47-billion for its bottom line over the same five year period.

Families with children and low-income Canadians will see their benefits rise starting next summer

Morneau says such payments have helped the economy and the government will stay the course.

The new spending will also include money to, among other things, handle the legalization of marijuana and for new laws against drug-impaired driving.

The Liberals have not mapped out a timeline to balance the books, even though they had promised to do so by 2019.