The projected federal deficit for 2022/23 could have been reduced by more than 42 per cent had the government stuck to last spring's spending plan.
federal government debt
A lack of fiscal prudence left Canada vulnerable when the pandemic hit.
Rules that impose mandatory fiscal discipline help produce better and more responsible fiscal outcomes.
Ottawa will likely have more revenue—perhaps considerably more—than forecast when the government tables the budget.
Federal net debt will reach a projected $1.3 trillion in 2021/22.
Only seven industrialized countries had higher levels of government indebtedness than Canada.
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland require the most policy action to correct their unsustainable fiscal trajectories.
Prudent fiscal management means working quickly to return to pre-recession debt levels.
According to the update, the government will continue to spend well in excess of projected revenues.
Despite the dismal state of federal finances, the speech did not include the terms “deficit” or “debt."