Liberals get ‘good’ grade from Page
As for the Liberals, Page’s team at the IFSD gave the party’s costed platform a grade of “good.” The assessment is based on three principles: realistic and credible economic and fiscal assumptions, responsible fiscal management, and transparency.
The Liberals got “good” on all three, while the Conservatives got a “pass” on the first two and a “good” on transparency. Neither party got a failing grade for any principle.
The Liberals have a projected deficit of $131.4 billion over the next four years, while the Conservatives’ projected deficit is $100 billion. The main difference, again, is that the Conservatives included potential revenues generated by policy changes. By that measure, Page says, the deficit differences between the two parties would be much smaller.
Page also said the economy is likely headed for a recession, which usually leads to a higher deficit.
The Liberals have given themselves a “hard target” of balancing the country’s operating budget by 2029, which Page noted Parliament could easily hold them to account for.
“I actually think they’ll have a hard time meeting that target,” he said.
