January 2018

Deficit for 2017-18 Could Be Lower than That in 2016-17 or Not

The federal government posted a budgetary deficit of $2.8 billion in November 2017, compared to deficit of $3.3 billion in November 2016.

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IS THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT UNDERSTATING DIRECT PROGRAM EXPENSES?


In a recent report the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Fiscal Studies and Development (IFSD )argued that the October 2017 Fall Economic Statement (FES) understated the growth in direct program expenses and that as a result expenditure reductions would be required in the 2018 budget.  Professor Gordon of Laval University, in an article in the National Post, expressed a similar view.

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PLANNING THE 2018 BUDGET

 

By now the Finance Minister should be close to putting the “finishing touches” on his 2018 budget.

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