Annual program spending to rise $19.8 billion in Harper government’s current mandate
Election promise to balance budget by 2014-15 broken
Hopeful signs on minor spending cuts, reform of EI, OAS, government pensions
OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) says Budget 2012 represents a lost opportunity for the Harper government to rein in spending and reverse runaway growth in government payrolls during seven years of minority governments.