Despite promising during the last federal election that they would not run deficits over $10 billion and would have the country back in a balanced budget situations by 2019, the budget brought down by the Finance Minister Bill Morneau shows that is not happening anytime soon.
Today's budget features an $18.1-billion deficit for the coming year, and no plan for a return to balanced books. The budget includes $338.5 billion in spending.
Morneau says the Liberals are putting people first by investing in Canadians and things that matter most to them.
The 360-page document features measures to get more women into the workforce to grow the economy and prepare for the impact of an aging population. The Liberals are budgeting $1.2 Billion over 5 years to provide up to 5 weeks leave for new fathers. It also contains measures to protect wildlife, and invest in science, and reconciliation with First Nations people.
The federal government is also establishing an "Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare"' to explore establishing a national drug program.