The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Federal Director, Kevin Gaudet, will be available for comment in advance of and after the release of the 2010 federal budget. The budget will be tabled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty at approximately 4pm (EST) in the House of Commons on Thursday, March 4th, 2010.
Mr. Gaudet will be in the Railway Committee room (253-D Centre Block) on Parliament Hill following the budget lock-up to provide analysis and comment on the tax and spending details contained in the budget. He will also be available intermittently by phone that evening.
Note: News organizations are strongly encouraged to book advance interviews for pre- and post-budget commentary by calling 1-613-234-6554. After 9am on budget day Mr. Gaudet will not be able to return any messages during the budget lock-up.
The Canadian federal deficit for 2009-10 was projected to be $55.9 billion driven by program spending of $278 billion. Spending grew 14% from $238 billion in 2008-09, when the deficit was $5.4 billion. The federal debt has climbed to over $515 billion, as may be viewed in real-time at debtclock.ca
The CTF is calling on the Conservative government to balance the budget over three years taking spending back to 2008 levels. The CTF’s Deficit Action Plan: Zero in Three which outlines how the federal government can balance the budget over three years may be found HERE.
