Discussion · Government Orders
Tamara Jansen Conservative
“The independent budget watchdog says the government's rules are not stopping its heavy spending. The deficit is $63 billion this year and will reach $70 billion next year, with rising interest costs. The Prime Minister needs to explain this.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is very simple. The PBO has just told us that the government’s own fiscal rules have imposed limited fiscal discipline. In plain English, the government’s spending rules are doing diddly-squat to stop the wild spending spree it is on. We are looking at a $63-billion deficit this year, climbing to $70 billion next year, while interest payments continue to grow. These are not numbers coming from the opposition. They are coming from Parliament’s independent budget watchdog. Surely, that deserves an explanation from the Prime Minister.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, it is very simple. The PBO has just told us that the government’s own fiscal rules have imposed limited fiscal discipline. In plain English, the government’s spending rules are doing diddly-squat to stop the wild spending spree it is on. We are looking at a $63-billion deficit this year, climbing to $70 billion next year, while interest payments continue to grow. These are not numbers coming from the opposition. They are coming from Parliament’s independent budget watchdog. Surely, that deserves an explanation from the Prime Minister.