Poilievre pushes Freeland to present fall economic statement to give Canadians a look at the books

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poulliver said Wednesday that it's time for Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to deliver the Fall Economic Statement (FES) to shed light on the country's finances. The statement, usually released in November, has been delayed this year and is meant to give Canadians a look at federal finances. The delay is likely because Freeland may exceed his deficit target, Poiliver said. Freeland had previously said the budget deficit would be $40.1 billion or less in 2023-24, but the Parliamentary Budget Office projected that figure would be higher.

Poulliver asked Freeland to come up with the statement as soon as possible and asked him why he is not telling the public the real statistics. In response, Freeland said the government would soon present the statement to the House of Commons and emphasized that Canada is in a strong fiscal position.

Chrystia Freeland also added that the government aims to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio, but that goal may be challenged by new spending such as increased defense budgets and border security. On the other hand, Anita Anand, the head of the Treasury Board, emphasized that the presentation of this statement will take place soon and that the government will not act according to Poulieu's timetable.

These conflicts come as the Conservatives have criticized the Liberal Party's repeated shutdowns of parliament, and Freeland has attributed the delay in the presentation of the economic statement to this issue.

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