QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Debt Management Report
December 14, 2023
Honourable senators, my question is for Senator Gold on fiscal transparency and accountability.
The Financial Administration Act requires the government to table an annual report on the management of the public debt. According to my calculations, today is the statutory deadline for the tabling of that report.
Given the increasing size of the public debt and our very significant debt-servicing costs, which continue to increase, we need this information in order to complete our review of the Fall Economic Statement.
We’re going to break in a few days for the winter break and we won’t be coming back until February. It would be very helpful, Senator Gold, if we could have that report before we leave for our winter break. Could you please inquire to find out where it is and urge the government to please release it?
I certainly will inquire, Senator Marshall. I agree with the importance of the information for the Senate to do its work.
Not knowing where it is, I cannot undertake or commit that we will promise that we will get it before we rise. I certainly will pass on the importance of this for the work that the Senate is mandated and required to do.
