Archived - Harper Government to Propose Balanced Budget Legislation
April 8, 2015 – Toronto, Ontario – Department of Finance
Finance Minister Joe Oliver today confirmed the Government’s plan to introduce balanced budget legislation aimed at enshrining in law its successful and prudent approach to fiscal policy.
A sound fiscal position is crucial to ensuring ongoing economic growth and job creation over the longer term. Maintaining balanced budgets and low and declining debt levels ensures taxpayer dollars are used to support important social services, such as health care, rather than paying interest costs, instills confidence in consumers and investors and keeps taxes low.
The proposed legislation would define concrete actions to be taken in the event of a deficit and require specific timelines for a return to balanced budgets.
This proposed legislation confirms the Harper Government’s ongoing commitment to responsible fiscal management by ensuring ongoing balanced budgets in normal economic times, while preserving the Government’s ability to take action in the event of a recession.
- Since 2006, the Government has proven its commitment to responsible fiscal management. In the lead-up to the Great Recession, it paid down over $37 billion in debt, contributing significantly to Canada’s low net debt position.
- This enabled the Government to implement the stimulus phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which provided a much-needed boost to the Canadian economy during the recession, without leaving the country in a vulnerable fiscal position.
- In the wake of the crisis, the Government implemented a concrete plan to return to balanced budgets, as the economy recovered, by 2015.
- Economic Action Plan 2015 will enshrine in law this successful and prudent approach to fiscal planning by introducing balanced budget legislation.
Melissa Lantsman
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-369-5696
Stéphanie Rubec
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-369-4000
