In March 2017, Canada faced a federal deficit of $21.8 billion, attributed to rising program expenses and increased government transfers, particularly in benefits for children and seniors. Despite a slight increase in revenues, the government's new child benefit has not reduced poverty levels, which have remained consistent for the past two decades. The document highlights concerns over unsustainable GDP growth driven by commodity prices and ongoing pressure on household budgets due to high living costs.

1. Federal Government –
Canada – Spending –
March 2017
PAUL YOUNG CPA, CGA
MAY 27, 2017

2. Paul Young - Bio
• CPA, CGA
• Academia (PF1, FA4 and MS2)
• SME – Risk Management
• SME – Close, Consolidate and Reporting
• SME – Public Policy
• SME – Financial Solutions
• SME – Supply Chain Management
Contact information:
Paul_Young_CGA@Hotmail.com

3. Key Economic indicators
• Stats Canada

4. Government Revenue and Spending
• Fiscal Monitor – Government of Canada

5. Government Spending
• Fiscal Monitor – Government of Canada
Biggest piece was the new
child benefit
• Poverty levels have
not been reduced
and are consistent
for the past 20 years

6. Government Spending
• Fiscal Monitor – Government of Canada
• More money for
sciences
• Clean Tech
companies struggle
to make a profit

7. Media Comment / Liberals
•http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/the-trudeau-liberals-make-history-for-the-highest-per-person-spending-outside-a-war-or-recession

8. Video / Comments – Cabinet Shuffle
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e43VZgJqY68

9. CBC News - Rising program expenses propel
fed 2016-17 deficit to $21.8B: preliminary
estimate
Source - http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/federal-deficit-fiscal-monitor-1.4132809
Those expenses also feature an $8.3-billion or 10 per cent gain in government transfers
individuals, which include increases in federal benefit payments for children, seniors and
employment insurance.
Revenues increased by $600 million or 0.2 per cent compared with a year earlier, the
Finance Department said. The analysis found personal income tax revenues rose $300
million or 0.2 per cent, while corporate tax revenues were up $2.3 billion or 5.4 per cent.
In March alone, the document showed the government ran a monthly shortfall of $10.4
billion, a number comparable with Ottawa's March 2016 deficit of $9.4 billion.
The 2016-17 figure released Friday was not the final result because end-of-year
adjustments still need to be completed to account for tax-return assessments.

10. Summary
• GDP growth has rebounded but much of that growth is due to
rising commodity prices as well as unsustainable prices in housing
• Goods producing sector produced 6,000 jobs since March 2016.
Goods producing sector drives 1/3 of GDP and key contributor to
manufacturing sales
• There is no indication that the new child tax benefit raise people
out of poverty. There are many issues like cost of living including
housing that puts pressure on household budgets
• There is no action plan to bring the budget back to either balance
or a surplus