TORONTO – Finance Minister Joe Oliver is expected to announce Thursday when the federal budget will be released at a speaking engagement in Toronto.
Oliver is expected to make the announcement during a press conference at 9 a.m. at the Canada Goose factory in Toronto, Global News has confirmed. The budget, which is normally released prior to the end of the fiscal year on March 30, had been postponed by Oliver, who blamed economic uncertainty around the volatile price of oil.
The Conservatives have pledged to balance the budget ahead of a looming fall election. The Conservatives also plan to provide income-splitting for parents and changes to child care benefits.
A number of high portfolios could receive a boost in spending including defence spending as the Harper government passed a motion earlier this week to expand Canada’s mission against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
The budget could also contain a number of items for Veterans Affairs as the government tries to smooth over any criticism of the treatment of Canada’s veterans. The former veterans affairs minister, Julian Fantino, was demoted to a junior cabinet role by the prime minister last January over the perceived mistreatment of veterans.
WATCH: Trudeau, Harper take jabs at each other during question period
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau traded jabs today in the House of Commons over taxpayer dollars.
“When will the prime minister finally understand that taxpayer funds should be used to help Canadians, not the Conservative party?” Trudeau asked during question period.
Harper ignored the question and responded with a shot at the Liberal sponsorship scandal from 2004.
“Is the Liberal party actually asking me about taxpayer dollars Mr. Speaker? We are still trying to find 40 million of those dollars,” Harper said to a round of laughter from his caucus. “The priority, Mr. Speaker, is to put money into the pockets of Canadians. The wrong priority is the Liberal party position against the family tax cut.”
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