The budget striptease

Leaks and spoilers abound

<p>Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty gestures as he delivers a speech to the Economic Club of Canada Wednesday February 6, 2013 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/CP)</p>

(Adrian Wyld/CP)

Ahead of budget day, what do we know, or think we know, about what the Finance Minister will present at 4pm tomorrow?

There’ll be something for the manufacturing sector. And a new focus on skills training. And money for infrastructure. And some tax loopholes will be closed. And changes to public sector sick leave and disability insurance. And more spending cuts, including cuts to the Defence Department. And nuclear liabilities will add $2.4 to the deficit.

What’s left to announce? If we’re placing bets, I’ll take a flyer on a royal commission on taxation.

Meanwhile, Paul Wells looks at the cuts already made. And John Geddes identifies five areas to watch.