QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office
Report of Parliamentary Budget Officer
November 18, 2025
To the government leader, I have a question about the letter from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, or PBO, that was just tabled moments ago by the Speaker. To my mind, that is unprecedented and a bit shocking. What he seems to be asking for is our support to do his job, and, in turn, his work enables us to do ours. Given that parliamentarians, including those in this chamber, will be asked to vote on the fiscal plan, on the budget in the days and weeks ahead, he needs the information, as do we.
What do you suggest is our next step? Should we invite the Parliamentary Budget Officer here to a Committee of the Whole? Should we reference this issue to a committee? This is shocking.
You know as well as I do that the Senate is free to invite the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The Parliamentary Budget Officer recognized at some point that the government is also doing an important thing with the tabling of that budget. The government thanks the PBO for their work; however, the government notes that their reports ignore the dynamic aspects of Budget 2025 and its measures to strengthen and grow the Canadian economy. The government investments will bring private and provincial investments. The experts agree on the path that has been followed by the government concerning the budget.
As to the invitation of the PBO, it is up to the Senate to invite them and ask them the questions senators think should be asked of the PBO.
Government leader, he is seeking information from specific government departments. They have deadlines that they are required to meet. They provided reasons why they could not meet them, such as management-union relationships impacting employee performance and time to review decisions. Those are not eligible grounds for refusing to disclose information.
What is the government’s response to this letter?
I am confident, senator, that the government is willing to work with the PBO. It did not happen only this year; it happens that sometimes it is impossible to follow the deadlines that have been implemented.
That being said, I am confident that the government is looking forward to working with the PBO to answer his important questions. He understands that he has a very important mandate, as well.
