Liberals may find themselves vulnerable from right and left by 2019
OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau’s enemies were beside themselves with derision back in 2014 when he said “the budget will balance itself.” The full quote, ignored by the critics, was, “If you grow the economy,” the budget will take care of deficits on its own. Trudeau, as we see now, was correct. The annual federal budget shortfall is […]
Feds’ vague response to committee report will not protect whistleblowers, say critics
Opposition Members of Parliament and advocates are panning the government’s response last month to the House Government Operations Committee’s report on whistleblower legislation, saying it is too vague and takes no real action to further protect public-servant whistleblowers. The two-page response by Treasury Board President Scott Brison (Kings-Hants, N.S.) is being called a “brush-off” by […]
Prime Minister’s Office down one correspondence writer, office spent $8.4-million last year
The Prime Minister’s Office is down one correspondence writer in light of the recent departure of Jonathan Barry who left the week before last. Mr. Barry has been in the PMO since the Liberal government’s early days, having started in January 2016. He was campaign manager to now Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson in North Vancouver, B.C., […]
Feds spent $311.3-billion in 2016-17, up five per cent: public accounts
The federal government spent a total of $311.3-billion in 2016-17, up $14.9-billion from the year prior, and its budgetary deficit swelled to hit $17.8-billion by the end of the last fiscal year. The 2016-17 public accounts, released on Oct. 5, detail all federal government spending between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017. Over the […]
Lebouthillier’s top political staff should have known about Revenue Canada’s now-nixed plans to tax employee discounts: former CRA ministers
A former Jean Chrétien-era national revenue minister says Diane Lebouthillier’s top political staff should have known and warned the minister about prospective plans for the Canadian Revenue Agency to begin taxing employee discounts, a controversial proposal which has since been kiboshed by the government. David Anderson, a former long-serving Liberal MP and cabinet minister who oversaw […]
Basic income: the case for incrementalism
When discussing the concept of basic income, those on the front lines, whether living in poverty or helping those who struggle with it on a daily basis, are most often in favour of the “Big Bang” approach—namely, ensuring that all Canadians have a livable income now. Indeed, a national basic income program should and can […]
‘Look at the results’: Morneau touts fiscal success in fall update
OTTAWA—Finance Minister Bill Morneau set out a good news fall fiscal update in hopes of helping the government recover from its mid-term stumbles and reset his and the Liberals’ political course. Morneau cited the government’s increased spending and income tax cuts when it took power two years ago as the driving force behind the country’s […]
Finance Minister Morneau lays out new spending for Canada Child Benefit, lower deficit projection in his fall economic update
The Liberal government is projecting a smaller than anticipated deficit in 2017-18, largely thanks to the Canadian economy, but has earmarked most of those savings to top-up the Canadian Child Benefit and another tax credit for the lowest income earners. In Tuesday’s fall economic update, Finance Minister Bill Morneau (Toronto Centre, Ont.) unveiled projections showing […]
At least Bill Morneau attempted tax reform
Bill Morneau may not be the world’s most adept politician. But as federal finance minister, his truncated tax reforms are at least still going, barely, in the right direction. Let’s hope that he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau don’t back off from them entirely. They did continue their backtracking Thursday. Morneau announced he won’t proceed with […]
Women doctors, entrepreneurs say proposed tax changes could make it hard for young professionals to go on maternity leave
Female professionals and entrepreneurs say they’re concerned the federal government’s proposed tax changes targeting two tax loopholes will make it more difficult for them to take maternity leave. Beverly Johnson, national president of the Federation of Medical Women in Canada, told The Hill Times that without providing financial help for female doctors who operate their […]
