OTTAWA--Despite recently well-publicized spending commitments, the federal government will post surpluses totaling $24.1 billion over the next three years, according to the Alternative Federal Budget's (AFB) Economic and Fiscal Update.
In keeping with the Chretien-Martin Liberals' practice of amassing significant surpluses--belying dire economic predictions from the Finance Department--the AFB forecasts a $7.7 billion surplus in fiscal year 2004-5, rising to $7.4 billion in 2005-6 and $9.0 billion in 2006-7.