QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Government Spending
June 5, 2025
My question is also for Senator Gold. Senator Gold, the Prime Minister has acknowledged that the federal government’s operating spending has been growing at an unsustainable rate of 9% annually. He promised in the Throne Speech to bring it to below 2%, but the government’s Main Estimates for this year tell a different story. They show a significant increase in operational spending compared to last year. The Main Estimates for this year have increased 8%, but operating spending has increased more than that — certainly not at the 2% commitment included in the Throne Speech.
How can the government explain the significant increase in operating spending in the Main Estimates, given its commitment to what it calls a new fiscal discipline?
Thank you for your question. This is a new government that has been in power for a very short time. It has an ambitious program that it is rolling out, the details of which are familiar to all members in this chamber. The estimates will be the subject of study in this chamber as they will be in the other place, and further opportunities will be available to honourable senators to obtain detailed responses to those questions.
Thank you. Senator Gold, there are many Canadians who are concerned about the country’s fiscal position. What should we, as Canadians, expect four years from now? Will this be another broken promise?
Thank you for your question. Canadians can expect that today and every day hereafter this government will focus intensively and intently on improving the economic situation for Canadians across this great country. On two recent occasions, Parliament voted its confidence in this government, and this government will continue to work hard for all Canadians.
