The great thing about budgets is that the numbers cut right through the spin and reveal the real priorities of governments. The 2005 Federal Budget is no exception.
Government finance
The 2005 federal budget was an important credibility test
for Paul Martin's government. While Martin has been actively involved in
shaping the budget for more than a decade, this was his first budget as an
elected Prime Minister. The promises of the last election campaign are still
fresh in public memory, and Martin has said he is committed to restoring trust
in government. Delivering on those election promises would be a good place to start.
OTTAWA—After years of inaccurate budget forecasting, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale has finally acknowledged that there will be a large federal surplus in the current fiscal year. However, he warns that economic tough times are looming in coming years, creating the infamous U-shaped budget surplus projection.
But an analysis released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives demonstrates the implausibility of the U-shaped surplus scenario.
OTTAWA — Selon l’Alternative budgétaire pour le gouvernement fédéral en 2005 (ABGF), on estime que le gouvernement fédéral aura un surplus de 45 milliards de dollars au cours des trois prochaines années, une somme qui pourrait réduire de façon significative la pauvreté et les inégalités au Canada et mettre fin aux chaudes querelles en ce qui concerne les transferts de fonds aux provinces.
OTTAWA — The federal government will have an estimated $45 billion in surplus over the next three years – money that could significantly reduce poverty and inequalities in Canada and lay to rest overheated squabbles over cash transfers to the provinces, says the 2005 Alternative Federal Budget (AFB).
(Vancouver) The provincial government’s pre-election budget, tabled today, fails to address BC’s social deficits, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The provincial government finds itself facing a better financial position than it has in more than a decade. The Auditor General has pegged the forecast budget surplus for 2004-2005 at $72 million and the province appears to have reached an agreement on off- shore oil and gas. With the debt stabilized and the economy growing the province has an opportunity to put in place the foundations for future social and economic development.