fall economic update
Five takeaways from the 2020 fall economic statement
As part of tens of billions in new spending planned for the coming years, the fiscal update includes funding for long term care, students and remote working
Should Canada adopt a ‘budget honesty’ charter like Australia?
Opinion: Why such a charter could be helpful to Canada’s budget process
Maclean’s on the Hill: U.S. election, Ottawa’s fiscal troubles
A Canadian politician observes the U.S. election. What Bill Morneau’s fiscal update didn’t say. Get your fix of Canadian politics.
How much higher will the deficit be this year: $7 billion or $5 billion?
Econowatch explains why you’re seeing conflicting headlines
Why isn’t the fall economic update delivered to the House?
Jim Flaherty will apparently deliver his fall economic update to a luncheon crowd in Fredericton tomorrow. Last year, he delivered the update in Calgary. Two years ago, he presented it in Mississauga. Three years ago, he presented in it Victoria.
‘Prudent planning’
Scott Clark and Peter DeVries find the Finance Minister’s budget update to be “lacking in transparency, accountability, and a realistic assessment of economic and fiscal prospects and risks.” And they suggest Mr. Flaherty start planning like Paul Martin did.
Why so shy, Jim?
The New Democrats and Liberals are unhappy with Jim Flaherty’s decision to deliver the economic update far away from the House of Commons.
Resolutely flexible
The prepared text of the Finance Minister’s remarks is here.
‘Increasing the adjustment for risk’
The Harper government delays balancing the books. Again.
Another way the House is made irrelevant
If, as variously reported, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivers the fall economic and fiscal update to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce today, it will be the third-straight fall he has delivered the update to an audience other than the House of Commons. Last year it was the Mississauga Chinese Business Association who enjoyed Mr. Flaherty’s presence, two years ago it was the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
‘We have a responsibility’
Jim Flaherty, November 27. We cannot ask Canadians to tighten their belts during tougher times without looking in the mirror. Canadians have a right to look to government as an example. We have a responsibility to show restraint and respect for their money. Canadians’ tax dollars are precious. They must not be spent frivolously or without regard to where they came from. Canadians pay taxes so governments can provide essential services. They trust the people they elect to serve society with that money, not serve themselves … Canadians pay their own bills and for some Canadians that is getting harder to do. Political parties should pay their own bills, too, and not with excessive tax dollars. Even during the best of economic times, parties should count primarily on the financial support of their own members and their own donors. Today our government is eliminating the $1.75 per vote taxpayer subsidy for politicians and their parties effective April 1, 2009. There will be no free ride for political parties. There never was. The freight was being paid by the taxpayers. This is the last stop on the route. There will be no free ride for anyone else in government either.
In review
The At Issue panel reviewed the parliamentary season last night with their traditional handing out of honours and dishonours. Video is here.