Freeland Says Feds Will Strike ‘Challenging’ Balance in Fall Budget Update

By The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
October 24, 2023Updated: October 24, 2023

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the government’s fall economic statement will focus on housing and affordability within a fiscally responsible framework.

In a news conference on Oct. 24, Freeland acknowledges it will be a challenging balance to strike, but says the Liberals are committed to it.

The federal government’s financial statements were published today, revealing the deficit for the 2022-23 fiscal year came in at $35.3 billion.

That’s $7.7 billion lower than projected in the spring budget.

The federal government is facing pressure to rein in spending after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as the economy slows.

However, it is also facing considerable pressure to address the national housing crisis, as polling shows support for the governing Liberals is taking a hit.