Budget 97
Finance Minister Paul Martin unveiled the Liberal government's 1997
budget recently. As most economic and political experts predicted there were
very few surprises, if any. This was a cautious and predicable budget that was
every bit political as it was economical. With the Liberal government set to
call an election in late May or early June the Party was very reluctant to rock
the boat further. This is what they have done in the 1997 budget and the
subsequent reactions to the new budget from both the business and political
communities.
In this no-surprises, pre-election budget, Martin said deficit cutting
is coming to an end and that Canadians, particularly the unemployed, will soon
reap the rewards of 40 months of strict financial management. With the Federal
deficit dropping over the last few years, the Liberals feel that they can
balance the budget in the next two years. This is important because it will
allow the government to halt their foreign borrowing to finance the deficit.
This greatly helps the credibility of Canada and puts the country's destiny back
into domestic palms. With this said, Martin announced no new tax increases,
although the raise in the Pension Plan could be considered a hidden tax increase.
Martin announced no new spending cuts in this budget although cuts made in
previous budgets are set to slash 3 billion more dollars this year. There was
some extra spending sprinkled into various areas. For starters, a new tax
benefit will be created in co-operation with the provinces, costing the Federal
government $600 billion. This program is attempting to help the poor and this
can be effective economically because poor peopl ...