QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Federal Fiscal Deficit--Economy
October 28, 2020
Honourable senators, my question is for Senator Gold.
The federal government recently hit a troublesome milestone. Today marks 328 straight days that a Parliament has existed without a tabled budget. The previous record of 315 days without a budget was set by Jean Chrétien’s government. In football terms, this would result in a delay of game penalty.
Since this government first came into power in 2015, it has allowed federal deficits to balloon out of control, and it seems now that they are using the COVID-19 pandemic as a cover.
However, no country has been immune to the impacts of COVID-19. Many governments have been able to table budgets while fighting the pandemic. Examples: Australia, New Zealand, Germany and France, just to name a few.
Senator Gold, when can Canadian taxpayers expect a full federal budget will be tabled by this government?
Thank you for your question. As the government announced through the Speech from the Throne and has repeated more recently, the government will present Canadians with an update on a fiscal situation later this fall. This government will continue to be transparent and open with regard to what they know and what they don’t know about the outlook for Canada’s economy.
With all due respect, Senator Gold, the government has no business running a country if it can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. Accountability and transparency are paramount during times like these. Provincial governments in our own country have been able to table budgets. Why are other governments able to fight the pandemic while carrying out their normal duties but this government can’t?
The Government of Canada is working responsibly and diligently to respond to the needs of Canadians during this pandemic. It is both walking, chewing gum and doing many other things at the same time to the benefit of all Canadians.
