With the Harper minority government set to unveil its federal budget Tuesday, questions remain over whether the Opposition Liberals will support it or follow the NDP and Bloc Québécois who've already indicated they will vote against it.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty speaks with journalists following the signing of transportation agreements in Mississauga on Feb. 20.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) "We will make our decisions with respect to the budget and other votes based upon what we think is right for Canadians," Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale said.
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has already hinted his third budget, to be tabled Tuesday, and one that could trigger a federal election, will be a cautious and prudent one for uncertain financial times.
The surplus is forecast to be smaller than usual at $1.4 billion for the upcoming 2008-09 federal budget and $1.3 billion for 2009-10. If those figures hold up, Flaherty can do very little.
"I find it hard to believe we're going to have a budget that could possibly precede an election and have virtually nothing in it," said TD chief economist Don Drummond.
One Conservative insider said, "Jim (Flaherty) always likes to have a surprise or two in his budgets."
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Should this be a spend or save budget? Is it likely to trigger an election?
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(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has already hinted his third budget, to be tabled Tuesday, and one that could trigger a federal election, will be a cautious and prudent one for uncertain financial times.
The surplus is forecast to be smaller than usual at $1.4 billion for the upcoming 2008-09 federal budget and $1.3 billion for 2009-10. If those figures hold up, Flaherty can do very little.
"I find it hard to believe we're going to have a budget that could possibly precede an election and have virtually nothing in it," said TD chief economist Don Drummond.
One Conservative insider said, "Jim (Flaherty) always likes to have a surprise or two in his budgets."
Full story
Should this be a spend or save budget? Is it likely to trigger an election?
More...